The Role of Women in Livestock Management and Control of Tsetse and Trypanosomosis in the Southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Abstract

Animal trypanosomosis is the most economically important livestock disease in the study area responsible for high mortality, morbidity and impact on draft power. Women were the first victims of the problem as it affects livestock and force women to continue transporting goods and conduct farming activities with hand tools. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the awareness and participation of women in tsetse and trypanosomosis control in two districts. The majority of respondents in Amaro (86%) and Abaya (96%) were aware of animal trypanosomosis and 76% of the total respondents knew symptoms of the disease. Ninety four percent of respondents from Amaro and 97% from Abaya districts indicated that Trypanosomosis is the first priority and economically important disease in their locality. All respondents from both districts used Trypanocidal drugs and 70% of respondents from Abaya used indigenous methods in addition to trypanocides. According to the study the frequency of treatment in Amaro and Abaya districts were 5.6 and 7.9 times/animal/year respectively. In this study, the role of women in cattle management, knowledge of the disease, frequency of treatment and level of participation were different (p<0.05) among the districts, requiring further awareness creation and technical backup to empower women and enhance their participation in similar programs for sustainable livestock development.