Rural Women in Small-Scale Irrigated Agriculture: The Case of Wadi Katum (Sudan)

Examination of the role played by women in production of horticultural crops in Wadi Kutum. Emphasis is on the rate and magnitude of participation of women in economic activities, especially irrigated agriculture. The proportion of women actively involved in horticultural activities proves to be approximately 80% of the local labour force. This remarkable rate of participation has its origins in the historic right of women to work in fields. The results show that women produce as much as men and their earnings are not much different; that women’s workload and responsibilities have increased in the absence of husbands (migrants); and that women’s participation in productive activity is largely a result of their society accepting that. Notes, ref., sum. in German and French.