Today, nearly 200 million nomadic and transhumant pastoralists throughout the world generate income and create livelihoods in remote and harsh environments where conventional farming is limited or not possible. This number rises sharply when extensive agropastoralists are included.
However, despite these figures, and the growing recognition of pastoralism as a valuable and sustainable natural resource management system, pastoral communities remain socially and politically marginalized. Pastoralists’ livelihoods are frequently undermined by unfriendly policies and laws and by competition for resources from more politically powerful neighbours and other interest groups. Understanding these dynamics and the importance of pastoralism is an essential element of efforts to reduce poverty.
Pastoral women are key agents in livelihood development. They engage in socioeconomic and cultural activities, and in the conservation and management of natural resources. Despite the many challenges they face, pastoral women are resourceful in finding ways to ensure that their households’ basic needs are met. However, their valuable role is only partially recognized. Pastoral women are particularly disadvantaged by the limitations they face within their own societies, for example in owning property or participating in decision-making processes. Increasing awareness of women’s concerns and the value of their specific inputs is a step towards strengthening women’s role in pastoral communities, thus reducing their vulnerability to external shocks.
Within this context the first ever Global Gathering of Women Pastoralists (the Global Gathering) was an important opportunity to:
(i) highlight specific challenges faced by women pastoralists; (ii) promote the exchange of experiences and learning to strengthen the role of women pastoralists in decision-making (including policymaking); and (iii) contribute to the development of a global forum for identifying major social, economic, political and ecological challenges facing women pastoralists.
This paper focuses on empowerment as a process for enabling pastoralist women to achieve better lives for themselves, their families and their communities. This emphasis is consistent with IFAD’s strategic mandate and emerged clearly from the feedback received from women interviewed at the Global Gathering.
Highlighting issues arising from the Global Gathering, the paper provides an overview of the challenges faced by pastoralist women and girls, and their potential opportunities. It aims to support development practitioners in planning specific interventions and in mainstreaming the issues that affect pastoralist women into the implementation of development initiatives.
The paper should be read in conjunction with the IFAD Livestock Thematic Papers on Livestock and Pastoralists and Gender and Livestock, which offer a view of the broader context.