Structural Adjustment Policies and Women in the Rural Areas in Africa: A Review of Some Major Issues

Simsa'a, Layla El Awad

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Title:	Structural Adjustment Policies and Women in the Rural Areas in Africa: A Review of Some Major Issues
Author:	Simsa'a, Layla El Awad
Year:	1998
Periodical:	Africa Development: A Quarterly Journal of CODESRIA (ISSN 0850-3907)
Volume:	23
Issue:	3-4
Pages:	135-147
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Subsaharan Africa Africa
Subjects:	gender relations economic policy rural women Women's Issues Development and Technology Economics and Trade Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) economics Politics and Government gender Structural adjustment programmes Women's role rural areas Economic reform
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/24482735
Abstract:	This article looks at the impact of structural adjustment programmes (SAP) at the micro level in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on women in rural areas, in particular poor women and households, and women farmers. It first clarifies women's role in the household and the economy, the conditions under which women live and work, and the nature and type of agricultural production which is supported by SAPs. Within the existing social division of labour in African societies, women play a significant role in the economy through their part in the reproduction and maintenance of human capital, and through the labour they provide to export and domestic crop production, especially food. However macroeconomic policies such as SAPs have no explicit consideration for women's reproductive tasks. As a result of their double role women producers are at a disadvantage when compared with men. A rise in the price of purchases and cuts in social services increase their reproductive burden and reduce the time and energy available to them for production. As agricultural producers, women suffer from unequal access to land, credit, basic modern inputs and extension services. They can benefit from SAPs only if they are net sellers and if the price they receive for their output increases by more than the costs of inputs. This may not always be the case because of the discrimination against them. Bibliogr., notes.

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