Invisible guardians - Women manage livestock diversity

Invisible Guardians
Women manage livestock diversity

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Rome 2012

This publication presents an analysis of women’s role in the sustainable use, development and conservation of animal genetic resources. The importance of small-scale famers and pastoralists as custodians of these resources is well recognized, but has never previously been disaggregated by gender. The differential roles of men and women have largely been neglected in studies of animal genetic resources management, but by piecing together several strands of argument and indirect evidence it can be concluded that women are the main guardians of livestock diversity.

Global trends in the livestock sector – particularly the shift from subsistence-oriented to market-oriented production, the sedentarization and disintegration of pastoralism, and the emergence of demand for niche market products – are analysed from the perspective of their influence on gender roles in livestock keeping and animal genetic resources management. Likewise, women’s role in the reproductive economy is analysed from the perspective of how this influences the type of livestock they keep.

Case studies from many regions of the world illustrate that while to a degree women acquire their role as guardians of diversity by default because of global trends, many also make an active and conscious contribution to the management of animal genetic resources.

ABSTRACT

Acknowledgements
Summary

Introduction

Definitions

Women as livestock keepers

Gender issues around livestock

Women as managers of livestock diversity

Livestock keeping in transition

Conclusions

How to adopt a gender-sensitive approach

References

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.

The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO.

ISBN 978-92-5-107307-0

All rights reserved. FAO encourages reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Non-commercial uses will be authorized free of charge, upon request. Reproduction for resale or other commercial purposes, including educational purposes, may incur fees. Applications for permission to reproduce or disseminate FAO copyright materials, and all queries concerning rights and licences, should be addressed by e-mail to [email protected] or to the Chief, Publishing Policy and Support Branch, O ffice of Knowledge Exchange, Research and Extension, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy.