Volume 2, Number 1
October 1996
Women, Labor, and Decisionmaking in Bedouin Societies of Syria
At a recent consultation on gender research in the CGIAR, attention was raised relating to the lack of research on small stock, in which women are often actively involved. In response to this query, Tom Nordblom from ICARDA shared this recent paper, which challenges the assumptions about the role of women in economic production in the Bedouin society. A copy of the paper can be obtained from Tom Nordblom at P.O. Box 5466, ICARDA Pasture, Forage and Livestock Program, Allepo, Syria, Tel: (963-21) 212433 or (963-21) 213477. Its abstract follows: Pape-Christiansen, A., W. Doppler, and T.L. Nordblom. The Contribution of Women to Labor and Decision Making Processes in Bedouin Farming Systems of Northern Syria.
Differences in labor constraints, financial incentives, and income may lead to different evaluations of innovations and technologies by women and men, influencing interest and adoption. The present study identifies the roles of male and female family members in labor and decisionmaking processes at family, household, and farm levels. The identification of gender roles in small ruminant production and management in three defined Bedouin farming systems can help extension and research institutions to address appropriate household members involved in decisionmaking, carry out activities, and sensitize their work towards gender issues.
The three farming systems differ in flock size, cultivated area, off-farm income, and degree of sedentarisation. Occupation of male members in off-farm activities increases the workload and responsibilities of female family members. It also increases women's contact with the market and thereby allows them some control over household expenditures. In all three farming systems, women are responsible for fodder mixing and supplementary feeding of the flock. This should be considered in efforts to improve the feeding management of flocks by research and extension personnel.
