Agajie Tesfaye, Rezene Fissehaye and Taye Tessema Gender Perspectives of Economic and Health Effects of Parthenium hysterophorus: A Preliminary Assessment Agajie Tesfaye, Rezene Fissehaye and Taye Tessema

Introduction Parthenium hysterophorus is a hostile and pervasive alien weed threatening: agricultural productivity and food security situation of the country. Men, Women and children are actively involved in the agriculture sector in the management of: crops Livestock Natural resources And the agriculture sector is severely affected by Parth. Even though it is expected that the impact of parthenium notably has gender dimensions: there was no adequate information that presents disproportionate impacts of parthenium on men and women To bridge-up this gap, a study was conducted in different parts of the country with the main objective of: assessing the gender dimensions of Parthenium impacts.

Methodology Standard survey methodologies were employed Desk reviews qualitative assessments Focus group discussions Key informant interviews Questionnaire based studies Structured questionnaire A total sample size of 318 households (10% of them were women) The study sites included: Eastern part of the country (Haramaya area) Northern part of the country (Sirinka area) Central parts of the country (Dugda Bora area) Target groups of the study Farming community Office of Agriculture Health Centers

Major Findings Gender disparities No gender disparity on: Awareness of parthenium (both men and women are aware) How parthenium was introduced to the country Both men and women perceived that this alien invader weed was introduced to the country along with wheat which was imported mainly for food aid in the seventies. Expansion of parthenium from road- sides to farmlands and grazing lands

Gender disparities ……….. Gender disparity (GD) on perception of men and women on expanding trend and extent of infestation: 73% of women observed high extent of expansion 51% of men GD was also observed on the knowledge of dissemination mechanisms: 78% of men knew means of dissemination 58% of women Major dissemination mechanisms reported: Seed dispersal Through Erosion Through Animals Using parthenium for roof thatching, mulching, etc

Gender disparities ……….. GD: As a result, the proportion of community members who applied the different control mechanisms was higher for: men (77%) than women (38%). GD: Even the proportion of households who used herbicides to control the invader was higher for: men (23%) than women (6%). This might be because men have better access to participation than women in: meetings and workshops

Gender disparities on: Economic effects GD on perception of men and women on effect of parthenium on crop yields: 70% of men realized part. has negative effects on crop yield 56% of women This might be because men are largely involved in crop production The yield loss is about 40% on average Could be 100% if not controlled

Gender disparities ……….. Economic effects ……….. GD on negative effects of parthenium on dairy production: 94% of women noticed part. Has negative effects on dairy production 76% of men This is because, women have close attachments with livestock In the household division of labor, women are mainly responsible for: milking, milk preservation and processing

Gender disparities ……….. Economic effects ……….. As a result, women have noticed that parthenium: Reduces milk yield by 50% impacts negatively on quality of milk Imposes high risks on health of children. Children hardly consume milk tainted with parthenium due to: Sourness Bad smell This inturn imposes more burden on women

Gender disparities ……….. Economic effects ……….. Both men & women have also noticed the negative impact of Parthenium on health of livestock: 31% of men reported negative impacts of parth. On health of livestock 26% of women. Both men and women have also noticed that parthenium impacted in: Lowering price of milk by 50% due to sourness and bad smell Lowering market values of cattle by 40% due to dermatitis

Gender disparities ……….. Economic effects ……….. Both men and women observed that parth.: invades pasture lands inhibits growth of beneficial grass species Exacerbates feed shortages Feed shortages and health problems of livestock eventually contribute to poor quality of products, such as: Milk (sour and bad smell) Meat (bad taste and smell) Skin (not marketable) Women and children are more affected than men with impacts of parthenium on: Low milk production Poor quality milk and meat lower price of milk Eventual economic strain

Gender disparities ……….. Environmental effects Both men and women have perceived negative effect of parthenium on bio-diversity: 42% of women noticed negative effects of parthenium on bio-diversity 38% of men Inhibiting germination and growth of flora Depletes nutrients and aggravates soil infertility

Gender disparities ……….. Social Impacts Health impacts of parthenium were reported to include allergic reactions, such as: skin rashes and dermatitis Sinus (asthmatic) Eye irritation respiratory problems like bronchitis Et Health of women is more affected than men due to frequent contacts with Parthenium during: Weeding Farm leveling

Indian Case

Conclusion and Recommendations Both men and women are aware of parthenium, its introduction, dissemination and control mechanisms The findings reveal that women suffer more with negative effects of Parthenium than men. The impacts of parthenium will get worsened unless timely corrective measures are taken Therefore, gender specific interventions are required to effectively control Parthenium and minimize its impacts especially on women. Awareness creation efforts shall be designed for both men and women either separately or jointly depending on the nature of intervention Controlling parthenium through integrated approaches (mechanical, chemical, biological mechanisms) minimizes its impacts especially on women

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