Opportunities and constraints to women's access to, and control over, resources in the small ruminant value chain in Ethiopia

Annet A. Mulema

23rd International Association for Feminist Economics (IAFFE) Annual Conference, Accra, Ghana, 27-29 June 2014

Presentation outline

Introduction

Conceptual framework

Methodology

Findings and discussion

Conclusion

Recommendations

Introduction

Importance of small ruminant (goat and sheep) production in Ethiopia

Women’s access to and control of resources is limited

Knowledge gap

gendered constraints and opportunities to women’s access to, and control over, resources

understanding of the various capitals that women mobilize to improve their livelihoods

Objectives of the study

1. Document women’s participation in the small ruminant value chain

2. To identify existing gender constraints and opportunities which can be built on to improve women's ability to engage successfully in the target value chain

3. Determine intra-household distribution and consumption of animal source food and any factors which hinder women’s consumption of milk and meat

Conceptual framework

Community capitals framework: stock of assets, interaction and flow of community capitals

Human capital

Natural capital

Cultural capital

Built capital

Financial capital

Political capital

social capital

Access to and control over resources

Capabilities

Methodology

Study was conducted in six woredas (districts)

Borana (pastoralist community)

Doyogena, menz, Horo, Amhara Abergelle and Amhara-Tirgay (agro-pastoralist communities)

Selected two kabeles (village) per woreda

Key informant interviews with different actors

Separate and mixed focus group discussions with female and male farmers in each site

Data analysis

Women’s participation in the small ruminant value chain

• Women mostly involved in work related to production around the home

• Milk processing and marketing was sole responsibility of women

• Local collectors and small traders were mostly men except in Doyogena

• Abergelle export abattoir employed both men and women but preferred hiring men for tasks that require knowledge of quality assurance

Productive resources

Opportunities: Joint ownership of productive resources In Amhara, women could own 50% of animals she

brought into marriage Women had access to and controlled small ruminant

products and the revenue

Constraints Decision making dominated by men Men considered more knowledgeable

Cultural capital presents opportunities but may also constrain women’s access to and control over resources

Productive resources…

“To sell animals, we discuss together with my husband about what animal to sell but its my husband's decision which is mainly considered. If he suggests that we sell a goat and I say we sell the sheep, normally I go by his decision” (female farmer, Borana, Feb 27, 2014).

“I make decisions over livestock. I am the boss. I have more knowledge about livestock. However, my wife is equally knowledgeable. If I left, my wife can handle everything. Although I am the boss, I involve my wife in decisions” (male farmer, Borana, Feb 27, 2014).

Breeding stock

Constraints Both men and women had limited access to breeding

stock Selection of ram/ewe made by men

Opportunities Community support programs thru’:

• Government• Local NGOs• International research institutions e.g. the community-based

sheep breeding program

Breeding stock…

“The outcome of certification was very interesting… it increased women’s awareness of their rights. In one of the training days, after certification, the extension agent was planning to conduct a session, and as usual he invited only men excluding the women; This time the women did not accept him; so they claimed that as long as they are entitled with the small ruminant certification, they deserve the training as well. As a result the extension agent was convinced and the women were able to attend the training” (Male researcher, Horro, 28 Dec. 2013).

Linking social capital enhances access to natural, human, financial and political capitals

Labor saving technologies

Constraints Both men and women lacked labor

saving technologies Lack of knowledge about improved

processing methods Lack of human capital and financial

capital constrained access to built capital

Opportunity Improvement of enterprises that

women dominant

Credit services

Constraints Women’s low membership to groups Women’s low political capital Low social capital amongst women which

hinders enhancement of human, political and financial capitals

Opportunities NGO programs Government support services e.g. Household

Asset Building program Linking and bridging social capital

Extension and veterinary services

Constraints Men more advantaged to

access extension services Distance to location of health

services Poor linkages between women

and service providers Gender biased norms and

beliefs

Opportunity• Sensitization of women about their

rights to services

Markets and market information

Constraints Women’s mobility to markets restricted by

cultural norms in Abergelle Amhara and Tigray Women not involved in buying or selling sheep Men considered better negotiators Women lack of mobile phones, access to radio

and access to social spaces

Opportunities In Menz and Yabello, women were considered

good negotiators Bonding and bridging social capital enhances

human capital

Access and consumption of animal source foods

• In Abergelle, women and girls were forbidden to consume whole milk

• Social status and culture influenced access to and consumption of meat

• The best cut was given to the husbands

• Women’s who freely participated in markets consumed meat more often like the men

• Poor women were unlikely to consume meat especially in female headed households

Conclusion

• Women’s access to and control over resources is associated with access to community capitals and the relationship between and flow of the capitals

• Growth in the stock and flow of capitals would increase the capacity of women to engage and benefit from SRVC

• The interaction between the capitals spurs the momentum to generate more opportunities for women to access resources

• There is need to enhance capitals and transform gender constraining norms, beliefs, attitudes and practices

CGIAR is a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food secure future. The CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish aims to increase the productivity of small-scale livestock and fish systems in sustainable ways, making meat, milk and fish more available and affordable across the developing world.

CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish

livestockfish.cgiar.org