Hidden links : irrigation, malaria, and gender

Shore, K.

Hidden links : irrigation, malaria, and gender

Files

117259.pdf (68.75 KB)

Date

2002

Authors

Shore, K.

Publisher

IDRC, Ottawa, ON, CA

Abstract

By increasing wet areas, irrigation can increase breeding grounds for mosquitos, the main vectors of malaria. This complex study showed that in villages without irrigation, most food comes from upland family fields controlled by men. Lowland fields are customarily women’s personal fields. In villages with irrigation, a shift in gender roles takes place. When rice production in the lowlands increased to two crops a year, men did less labour, and food production for the family moves from family fields to women’s personal fields. Women’s workloads increase, and the treatment for childhood malaria is also impacted, as customary treatment is intertwined with gender roles.

Description

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Liens cachés : irrigation, paludisme et sexospécificité

Keywords

MALARIA, IRRIGATION, DISEASE TRANSMISSION, FOOD SYSTEMS, GENDER ROLES, ECOSYSTEM APPROACHES, ECOHEALTH, FOOD SECURITY, WOMEN’S STATUS, WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, HEALTH POLICY, COTE D’IVOIRE, SOUTH OF SAHARA