Gender Issues in Livestock Systems in Ethiopia

Abstract

Understanding gender differences and social dynamics in livestock systems is essential to the design of gender sensitive interventions that equitably address the priorities of male and female smallholder farmers and other disadvantaged groups. The data for this analysis were derived from literature review and a multi-stakeholder consultation workshop. Both manual and electronic searches for studies done on gender and livestock in Ethiopia were applied. Current knowledge on gender division; intra-household decision-making; access, ownership and control of livestock resources; livestock marketing; time poverty, perception and agency; livestock-based institutions and structures; gender capacity and changes in gender relations is presented and gaps in literature identified. Drawing on the findings, a framework for analyzing gender issues at household, community and environmental level is proposed.