Ahfad university for Women-SudanWomen in Rural Sudan

The Case of Al Dagag Village

Gihan Adam AbdallaAhfad University for Women

Agriculture and Sustainable Rural Development in Times of Crisis

Humboldt-University Berlin, January 25-26, 2013

Ahfad University for Women-Sudan

10 years successful Ahfad – Humboldt Link program on Sudanese women survival strategies: Challenges and perspectives with emphasis on ecology and food security

Women in Rural SudanThe context of Sudan:The case of Sudan is unique when discussing

poverty Because of:Long-time war After war challengesSeparation and economic shock

Dictatorship and authoritativeEconomic challenges, inflation, liberalization,

and economic underdevelopmentSocial challenges, education, health, gender Regional differentiation and rural urban

prejudiceMigration

Al Dagag Village

Poverty in Al DagagDepending on rain-fed

agricultureLow incomeLiving at a subsistent levelInappropriate

infrastructureIndigenous technologies

and knowledge

Poverty in Al DagagLow standards of living Poor technologies

Poverty in Al DagagAccessibility of water Illiteracy and health

threats

Services in Al Dagag“worsening poverty”

Services in Al Dagag

Services in Al Dagag

Vulnerability in Al DagagDifferent types of

personal shocksE.g. sickness,

injuries, deathVaried types of

general and natural disasters

E.g. fires ,draught(s)

Vulnerability in Al Dagag

Women’s LivelihoodLiving in chronic poverty and vulnerability giving

women more space to have an economic activity Division of land:Household land (clay land for the husband)Small piece of land in sandy soil (for the wife)They have control over their production and

moneyQuoting from Mona: “We do not say this is my

land and this is your land; however everyone knows his or her land’s boundaries, size, production and income which are used separately”

Women’s LivelihoodWomen’s Livelihood Patterns:Women are farmers Women are also working as labourer Different agriculture practices are linked with

women e.g. Hibiscus is a “women crop”Women are more involved in different

economic activities as:ShopkeepersShail traders (Money lenders)Crop traders

Women’s LivelihoodAisha Al Daw

Women in Al DagagWomen having a “word” in the household: They are allowed to go to the markets They are more involved in public services (they dig

the water basin Hafeer)Cases of women taking the full household’s

responsibility are increasing Despite what men said that they are the bread-

winnersWomen pay for a huge part of the household needs This is seen by them as the main reason for having

a “word” in the household

Women’s LivelihoodWomen save more than men But still social norms do not leave a lot of

room for diversificationsWomen headed households are the poorest

Women building the Social CapitalCoping Strategies: How people surviving in

Al DagagWomen are the main actors in “helping each

other”Women are more involved in social networks

that are considered as important social security mechanism

Wajib (Cash/non-cash contributions to help each other)

Nafeer (Group work to help in harvesting)Sanduqs (ROSCAs)

Thank youDr. Gihan Adam Abdalla

For more information:gihanabdalla@hotmail.com