Overcoming barriers: promoting women?s local knowledge

Abstract

In many regions of Africa land degradation and desertification are increasingly threatening people?s livelihoods and the integrity of ecosystems. Women, as the families? main food producers, are particularly impacted. Traditionally, women?s contribution to food security and environmental protection in agrarian societies in Africa has been a fundamental aspect of long term sustainability. Yet too often nowadays, when searching for solutions, and/or when agricultural policies and land management strategies are developed, whether national or international, women?s voices are bypassed and their know-how belittled or ignored. For more than 10 years, an international civil society network on desertification (RIOD) strives to bring local expertise to the international policy and negotiation tables. RIOD promotes the important exchange of local expertise and scientific knowledge in this field. The article discusses experiences at the local level. It reviews obstacles at the community level and to the necessary exchange of experiences at the national and international levels. It concludes with suggesting ways for overcoming barriers and encourages lessons learned. The year 2006 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. This is providing a timely opportunity for focus on knowledge systems for African drylands that give equal weight to women?s local knowledge in sustainable land and natural resource management.