The value of gender analyses in humanitarian livelihoods programming: a case study from Nias Island, Indonesia

Abstract

This article argues that in order for a rural livelihoods programme to respond to the differing needs of women and men, it is essential that a gender analysis is undertaken. A gender analysis will provide information on the livelihood strategies, needs, and aspirations of women and men. The article describes a gender analysis that was undertaken as part of Oxfam GB's humanitarian livelihoods programme on Nias Island, Indonesia, in 2007. Due to a range of issues, this analysis was undertaken over a year after the programme started, and highlights some challenges the programme faced as a result of not having this information from the outset. It ends by discussing the ways in which the programme has learnt from this experience.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Zalynn Peishi, who got this project off the ground, Delphine Brun for her support, and Deborah Clifton for her encouragement to write this article.

Notes

1. Transitional living centres are the semi-permanent settlements built by the local authorities of NGOs to house people displaced by the tsunami or earthquake. Dwellings in these settlements were semi-permanent structures, where people were housed until permanent housing was built. Initially called internally displaced people's camps (IDP camps), the name was changed by the local authorities to reflect the nature of the settlements.

2. Women were noted to wrap their abdomens tightly with fabric and return back to working in the field sometimes just days after childbirth (although this was not the case for all women).

3. Rubber tapping is the process by which farmers extract latex, the base ingredient of rubber, from rubber trees. Each morning the farmers will make a deep incision into the bark of the mature rubber trees which will cause the liquid latex to seep out and run down the outside of the tree. A small cup is placed at the bottom of the tree to catch the latex, which is collected and used in rubber production. Rubber trees can only be tapped in the dry season.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Annette Salkeld

Annette Salkeld has worked in the community and environmental sectors for the past 15 years. Her particular focus has been on the interactions between communities and the environment they live in and rely on. Having worked for Oxfam Australia's humanitarian section for three years, Annette worked with Oxfam GB, undertaking gender analysis within their Aceh/Nias Tsunami Response Programme. Annette is currently working for an environmental organisation in Australia, finding ways that marginalised communities can reduce their ecological footprint. Postal address: 36 Bradley Ave, Thornbury, Vic 3071 Australia