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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND GENDER DIMENSIONS


Local knowledge is embedded in social structures. Different groups of people, e.g. ethnic, clans, gender, age or wealth groups may hold various types of knowledge. This type of knowledge is related to existing differences concerning:

Gender and local knowledge are, therefore, linked in many ways. Women and men often possess very different skills and types of knowledge concerning local conditions and everyday life. For example, women are important users and processors of natural resources for human subsistence. As such, they are often the repositories of local knowledge for sustainable resource management. On the other hand, men may have more knowledge of production issues. In many societies women are mainly responsible for growing and collecting food, securing water, fuel and medicines. They also provide a cash income for education, health care and other family needs. Furthermore, women contribute much of the labour and day-to-day decision-making that goes into crop and animal production.

While both men and women are involved in crop selection, and have highly specific knowledge, they use substantially different selection criteria. Often, women's criteria and knowledge are overlooked by researchers of plant variety selection and conservation. Where women are the main crop producers, they consciously select varieties that meet a broad range of criteria related to production, processing, storage and preservation as well as culinary qualities. When men are the main producers, they depend on female family members to advise them on characteristics that are unrelated to field crop production; particularly those aspects associated with post-harvest processing and culinary use (Howard, 2003).

Age is another important factor that influences local knowledge; younger people tend to be less aware of its relevance. Research, on traditional medicines in Ghana and Zambia, showed that younger generations often undervalue this knowledge. This is partly because traditional medicine seldom brings high economic returns to the practitioner (IK Notes No. 30, 2001). Depending on the livelihood strategies adopted by different people, or across generations, the relevance of local knowledge to agricultural production will vary.

Local knowledge, and related gender differences, can be seen as key factors in shaping and influencing plant and animal diversity. Farmers' selection and management practices, and their use of genetic resources, have played an important role in agrobiodiversity conservation. Continued management of these resources will play a significant role in the success of future strategies. Local knowledge can help increase the relevance and efficiency of agrobiodiversity conservation efforts in various situations:

However, there are limitations to building on local knowledge. These are manifold and include the following:

The following example shows how these weaknesses, or limitations, can be overcome to achieve positive outcomes for people's livelihoods.

[Box 2] ENHANCING PASTORALIST SELF-RELIANCE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA

In Kenya, an integrated development programme for pastoralists brings together traditional (indigenous) and modern technical knowledge for training and handbooks on the treatment of cattle diseases. The programme aims to gather indigenous knowledge from different ethnic groups, share knowledge and practices, and promote pastoralism as a valid mode of production and way of life. The Kenya Economic Pastoralist Development Association (KEPDA) brings together traditional and modern technical knowledge in all project activities.

Understanding and awareness of key issues is then promoted through publications and networking. This approach has considerable potential for the sustainable improvement of dry land productivity. In the past traditional knowledge was largely considered a research topic, and technical knowledge was believed to be a replacement for 'primitive' or outdated practices. This project aims to integrate these two sets of knowledge.

Source: World Bank.

From a livelihoods perspective, local knowledge continues to be an important asset for resource poor people. Moreover, recent studies emphasize the relevance of local knowledge on indigenous food plants for increased food security and health. This is especially true for HIV-AIDS affected households in Africa, where increasing food insecurity further aggravates the negative impact of the disease. Grassroots responses, which build on agrobiodiversity and local knowledge, can contribute to combating food insecurity and the impacts of HIV-AIDS (Garí, 2003).

Key points

  • Local knowledge is the information that people in a given community have developed over time. It is based on experience and adapted to the local culture and environment, it is continuously developing.

  • Local knowledge is embedded in social structures. Different groups of people, ethnic groups, clans, gender or wealth groups, hold different knowledge. Women and men often possess very different skills and knowledge of local conditions and everyday life.

  • Age is another important factor that influences local knowledge. Younger people tend to be less aware of the relevance of local knowledge.

  • Local knowledge and gender differences in local knowledge can be seen as key factors that shape and influence plant and animal diversity.

  • Local knowledge can help increase the relevance and efficiency of agrobiodiversity management and conservation efforts at different levels.

  • Local knowledge is not easily accessible and understandable to outsiders. It should not be extracted from individuals/communities. It should be explored and shared in a participatory fashion that yields benefits to all parties involved.

  • Local knowledge does not necessarily offer a solution to changing external conditions. It is therefore important to establish mechanisms that allow the integration of local and external knowledge sources.

  • From a livelihoods perspective, local knowledge continues to be an important asset for resource poor people.


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