1. BUILDING RESILIENCE BY STRENGTHENING WOMEN'S LAND RIGHTS IN THE SENEGAL RIVER VALLEY.
Paper prepared for presentation at the “2017 WORLD BANK CONFERENCE ON LAND AND POVERTY” The World Bank - Washington DC, March 20-24, 2017
Dr. Mamadou Baro
Dr. Abdoulaye Diagana

2. CENTRAL RESEARCH QUESTION
CAN WOMEN AS KEY AGENTS OF CHANGE CONFER AN ADAPTIVE ADVANTAGE AND BUILD LOCAL RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE SENEGAL RIVER?

3. PRESENTATION CONTENTS
Methodology
Description of dominant livelihoods
Women and existing forms of adaptation
Current roles of women in Climate Adaptation

4. METHODOLOGY SECONDARY DATA REVIEW
QUALITATIVE STUDY IN THE MIDDLE RIVER
FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS
KEY- INFORMANT INTERVIEWS
CONTENT ANALYSIS

5. SENEGAL RIVER VALLEY: CONTEXT
PERSISTING DROUGHT AND SHOCKS
FAILING TRADITIONAL LIVELIHOOD SYSTEMS & INCREASED MIGRATION
INCREASED ROLE OF WOMEN IN IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE
MAJOR LAND GOVERNANCE ISSUES

7. FIELDSITES (2014-2015) SENEGAL RIVER BASIN
- Not easy to study: shared by three countries

8. DOMINANTS LIVELIHOODS
AGRICULTURE
LIVESTOCK
COMMERCE
MIXED SYSTEMS

9. MANAGING THE SENEGAL RIVER…
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE Diama & Manantali Dams →” land, water, and energy for all”. Paradox: availability versus access to key agents of change.

10. Women and existing forms of adaptation
Peasant women and economic transformations:
Women and irrigated agriculture (Case study from Boghe (1600 ha) & Kaedi (2000 Ha)
More than 60% of the labor force provided by women
Most of the innovations in terms of adaptation to climate change are coming from women (strong evidence from women cooperatives

11. NEGOTIATING WOMEN’S LAND RIGHTS
Women account for most of the agricultural sector BUT have less than 5% of registered titles.
Women, water and land: managing for household survival
Working around the periphery of large scale irrigation systems (Boghe, Maghama)
Fighting against the weight of culture and society

12. Women from GATS Association in Mauritania received a training on cowpea processing with a nun from Senegal with the help of a faith-based Spanish NGO. ←
Authorities were present during the awards ceremony. Influential male authorities are the mayor and state representatives ↓

13. TOWARDS A THEORY OF CHANGE
Reduces poverty
Gives better chances for structured development
When women have access to markets
When women have better health and are educated
When women are involved in the decisions about household expenditures
Home saving balance
Women increase their purchasing power
Children’s welfare is improved
Income/living expenses
Better health, education, and ability

14. ACCESS TO CREDIT, AN IMPORTANT KEY LEVERAGE FOR RESILIENCE
→ SAVINGS FOR CHANGE → OTHER MODELS

15. ACCESS TO SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY
Women of Sunpu co-op farming land which is not theirs. ←
The motor pump offered by GRDR broke down after 20 days. ←

16. DIVERSIFYING AND PROMOTING MIXED LIVELIHOODS:In Kaédi (South of Mauritania), women are training their peers from neighboring regions. IGA

17. CONCLUSION Women play a key role in the stability of the household
They are at the heart of innovations in the rural economy
→ Stakeholders must focus on supporting women’s initiatives.
Once women receive the position, the means, and the respect they deserve, they will be able to provide innovative responses to the recurring crises.
Understanding of why women’s meaningful participation is essential to building resilience.

18. MERCI
THANKS
L’ETERNITE, FINALEMENT C’EST LOIN.
L’ESSENTIEL EST