Gender Role in the Small Ruminant Sector in Mountain Area of Turkey

Abstract

Davran, M.K., Darcan, N. and Budak, D.B. 2007. Gender role in the small ruminant sector in mountain area of Turkey. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 31: 93–95.

To examine gender role of women in small ruminant sector in Taurus mountains of Turkey, data were collected in 10 villages by face to face interview with 100 women. Rural women living in Taurus mountains carry out a primary role in small ruminant activities but their productive work has been ignored and underestimated. They are working on an average 12.6 h a day and get help/support from children and particularly from girls in small ruminant activities. Division of labor in small ruminant activities is unfavorable to women and they have secondary position in decision making process. Accessibility to knowledge, technology, education, health and extension is very difficult for women due to low educational level and patriarchy; and the proportion of illiterate women is 66%. Women ignorant of their primary status and productive role in rural life, define themselves as housewife instead of farmer and do not like their job.

Key words:

• Gender role
• rural woman
• small ruminant activities
• mountain areas
• Turkey