Gender relations in the livestock production in Koinadugu district, Sierra Leone

Abstract

Gender relations are how a culture or society defines men’s and women’s rights, obligations, and identities. In rural agricultural contexts, gender dynamics play an integral role in determining who gets what with respect to livestock ownership, decision-making, and distribution of the associated profits. The study aims to assess gender relations in the management, ownership, and decision-making of small-holder livestock in the Koinadugu district, Sierra Leone. Data were collected from six different chiefdoms located within the Koinadugu district. A total of 267 farmers who raised animals participated in the study. Data were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. A statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the collected data. The study result shows that men mainly own cattle, goats, and sheep, while women own poultry. Men contributed more to the following tasks: vaccination, Harding, and selling live animals. At the same time, women participate largely in the following activities, such as cleaning gutters and shades, milking animals, processing, selling milk, and selling eggs. The results also show that men make decisions mainly about assigning tasks to family members, purchasing livestock, cultivating grain, and building animal shades. At the same time, the decision to breed animals and feed animals is greatly influenced by women. However, the decision about hiring labor, the treatment of animals, the purchase of feed and concentrate, the sale of live animals, and the size of the herd are influenced by both men and women. Therefore, it is vital to create and enact laws and policies that promote equal rights and opportunities for women so that rural women can contribute significantly to inclusive economic development and the long-term success of the Sierra Leonean livestock industry.