The effects of drought on the condition of women.

Abstract

Drought can have economic, social, health, and environmental effects on women in developing countries. Drought contributes to decreased household food supply and little or no crop surplus for sale. When stocks are used up, few resources are available for the purchase of food. Male labor migration increases during drought and may become permanent. Prostitution in urban areas and forced marriages increase. The work load of women increases. Drought can deplete pastures and reduce livestock counts. Women are left to till the fields by hand and must reduce the area cultivated. Aid programs can offer food or money in exchange for work. Drought reinforces the sexual division of labor and leaves the population malnourished, hungry, and with a reduced physical ability to perform work. Child labor may be reduced, but mothers must compensate and fetch water and firewood or wash dishes. Diets are supplemented by the harvesting of wild fruits and tubers. Caterpillar collection may lead to the felling of slow growing trees. Fruit trees may be cut down without regard to future harvests, because the fruit was not reachable. Water tables can be reduced and force collection of water from more remote areas. Programs should help people meet immediate food needs, strengthen women's role, and introduce environmentally sustainable longterm solutions to food deficits. These suggestions empower women to be able to adapt better to future drought conditions. Women must have the means to provide for food self-sufficiency through access to agricultural credit and services and to equal control of agricultural produce and income. Ecologically sound projects, such as controlled grazing schemes, reforestation, construction of silt traps, and construction of dams for irrigation purposes, can help prevent drought. Drought is recurrent, however, and national governments must have contingency plans and programs such as food banks and an effective food distribution and storage system. Women should not be assumed to have an unlimited capacity to sustain this burden.