WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTION TO FOOD SECURITY IN THE PASTORAL COMMUNITY OF NAPAK, KARAMOJA UGANDA: STATUS AND STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCEMENT.

Abstract

Napak, a district in Karamoja sub-region of North-Eastern Uganda still grapples with the problem of food insecurity with about two-thirds (62%) of households reported to be food insecure in 2017 and 55% of households in 2019. And yet food security is an area of boundless global concern towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals at all levels. The food security problem in Napak is linked to the pastoralist livelihood currently encountering pressure from increasing dry lands, conflicts in the form of cattle raids and change in the land tenure, forcing the community to rethink alternative livelihood sources. Women in the pastoral communities play a pivotal role through assuming diverse responsibilities in livestock keeping, the land, and household. The study aimed at examining women’s contribution to food security in the pastoral community of Napak and strategies to enhance their efforts in curbing food insecurity.

To complete this investigation, the study engaged different stakeholders to respond to the questions it sought to address: What role do women play in enhancing food security in the pastoral community of Napak? Which women’s empowerment strategies can be employed to enhance the food security situation in the pastoral community of Napak? These questions were addressed qualitatively through semi-structured interviews with district officials and women-targeted NGOs; and focus group discussions with women community members. Data was analyzed qualitatively with the aid of Atlas.ti, a qualitative data analysis tool, and presented in a narrative manner.

The study findings present women as instrumental in enhancing food security in the pastoral community of Napak as indicated in the roles expressed by respondents like; Farming, livestock keeping, self-employment, water, sanitation, and hygiene management, fruit and vegetable gathering, among others. However, their efforts have been undermined by inadequate access to resources, insecurity, gender-based violence, male dominance, illiteracy, negative cultural practices, among others. Capacity building, agricultural mechanization, girl child education, curbing negative cultural norms, advocacy and decent employment were some of the strategies identified to consolidate women’s efforts in enhancing food security. The conclusion of the research presents the gap in understanding of the entire concept of food security, the contemporary issues in the region and the evolving nature of pastoralists. Hence, more research is required to be conducted including interventions that are more focused on improving pastoralists livelihoods, ensuring sustainability as the goal of any food security interventions as well as consolidating the right to food by women.