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The Dynamics of Gender Relations under Recurrent Drought Conditions: a Study of Borana Pastoralists in Southern Ethiopia

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Abstract

We examine the dynamics of gender relations in terms of changes in gender roles and access to resources under recurrent drought conditions in Borana, Southern Ethiopia, using data from household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations. Results show that in traditional Borana society, roles are structured on the basis of gender and age groups with women responsible for activities in and around their dwellings whereas men are responsible for livestock management. However, changes in pastoral production due to recurrent droughts seem to be transforming the gender roles so that women’s workload, areas of decision-making, and income-earning opportunities have increased.

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Notes

  1. Kora is a traditional men’s meeting in which many of the decisions governing the community are made.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Borana women and men who volunteered the information for this study. We also thank Yonas Soboka, Boru Daniel, and Jarso Jaldessa for their help during data collection.

Funding

This research was done with the financial support from Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs -NORAD institutional collaboration project between Hawassa University, Ethiopia and NMBU, Norway.

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  1. NMBU-Norwegian University of Life Sciences, ÅS, Norway

    Abiyot Eliyas Anbacha & Darley Jose Kjosavik

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  1. Abiyot Eliyas Anbacha
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Abiyot Eliyas Anbacha collected the data, provided theoretical inputs, and drafted the manuscript. Darley Jose Kjosavik provided comments and revised the paper.

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Correspondence to Abiyot Eliyas Anbacha.

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Anbacha, A.E., Kjosavik, D.J. The Dynamics of Gender Relations under Recurrent Drought Conditions: a Study of Borana Pastoralists in Southern Ethiopia. Hum Ecol 47, 435–447 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-019-00082-y

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