THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION STRATEGIES AMONG PASTORAL COMMUNITIES: THE CASE OF SHABELEY DISTRICTS OF FAFAN ZONE. SOMALI REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Different studies explored that disaster risk reduction adaptation and coping mechanisms practices of pastoral communities as a whole. However, there is lack of specific studies focused on pastoral women’s role regarding climate change and disaster risk impact reduction strategies. Therefore, this study investigates the role of women in disaster risk reduction strategies for climate extreme events in pastoralist’s area of Shabeley woreda of Fafan zone, Somali Regional State. The research was conducted using cross-sectional research design by combining both quantitative and qualitative data types. In the quantitative data collection, 120 respondents were participated in order to collect data such as drought frequency, drought impact, disaster risk reduction strategies and coping mechanisms as well as the hindering challenges. The data were collected using individual household interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The collected quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Standardized precipitation index (SPI) while qualitative data were analyzed using textual summary. The result from SPI revealed that frequency and severity of drought events has been increasingly for the last 42 years in Shebelley district. The study has also identified that drought severity has increased in Shebelley area for the last four decades. These recurrent droughts have negatively impacted on pastoral livelihoods. In order to adapt to or cope with frequently occurring droughts, Shebelley pastoralist women are using a variety of indigenous and institutional strategies. Among these, they use mobility to track forage and water sources, herd diversification, regular selling of livestock, tackling of livestock diseases by using traditional methods, and diversification of livelihood sources. There are also a number of pre, during and post disaster risk reduction strategies practiced by the study area women to adjust their livelihood under the environmental circumstance they live. Pre-disaster risk reduction strategies includes buying and storing food grains, feed collection, and changing breeding time while during and post drought strategies includes the slaughtering of weak animals during drought periods, livestock selling, re-stocking, social supporting systems, herd splitting, family splitting, and charcoal and firewood selling. To foster the disaster risk management strategy of pastoralist women, it is highly recommended that pastoral development policy and strategy should be developed by harmonizing activities between government and development partners which are visible and comprehensive to bring fast progress in drought risk management strategies. Policymakers should also informed and make wise decisions and give guiding directions regarding further research on pastoralist areas.