United Nations Radio

Nearly 40 years ago, the women of Eritrea fought on the front lines of their country's war of independence and became pioneers in the African women's liberation movement. Since the war ended in 1991, new laws have been passed granting Eritrean women the right to vote, own land and work in any job they choose. But in rural communities, women's liberation is a war still being fought...except now volatile global food prices are bringing attention to the biases and burdens women endure and the critical role they play in ensuring Eritrea's food security. Sanne Winderixk of the International Fund for Agricultural Development reports.

farmers in Eritrea

Sanne Winderixk:

In a rural village in south-western Eritrea, a wedding is about to take place. The streets are filled with dancing people, everyone joins in to celebrate.  The bride arrives in a decorated  van, her face hidden by the crowd of children who sing to her.  For centuries marriage has given women access to economic security.  But today things are changing.  As a consequence of Eritrea's war of independence and stalemated peace process with Ethiopia, 4 out of 10 households in Gash Barka are now headed by women.  Women like single mother of 4, Howa Mahmud Haj.

Howa Mahmud Haj:

It is difficult because when I was married we could help each other, now that I'm alone it is hard for me to feed them, cloth them, support them, do everything for them.

Sanne Winderixk:

Howa earns a living selling tea at her local market.  She says it's a big challenge being a working mother. Her community doesn't give her much support.

Howa Mahmud Haj:

People here believe a woman should not leave the home even to work. I need to support my children, that is why I go to the market every day to sell tea. But even then my neighbours gossip and talk about me behind my back.

Sanne Winderixk:

The few pennies she earns at the market are all she has to sustain her family.  And often, she says it's barely enough to feed her children.  At the local market, bargains are hard to come by, and there's less food to go around.   The government can't afford to import basic food items any longer... and since 2001 chronic droughts and unpredictable flooding, have made it difficult for Eritrea to develop its agriculture.   Eritrea Programme manager, Abla Benhammouche, for IFAD, the International Fund for Agricultural Development:

Abla Benhammouche:

Eritrea in an extremely good year will produce only 60 percent of its food requirements. Eritrea is a poor country, doesn't have access to large pots of foreign exchange and thus has to develop its own capacity for attaining a certain level of food security.

Sanne Winderixk:

Not too far from Howa's village, is a government irrigation project.  The newly built irrigation canals - financed by IFAD - capture water rushing down from nearby mountains. As a result flash floods that would otherwise cause erosion can now be controlled turning 1,000 hectares of arid land into fertile fields.  The potential is enormous. Sorghum and millet yields alone are expected to increase fourfold.  The problem has been to find enough farmers to do the work.  Abla Benhammouche.

Abla Benhammouche:

There is about 10 percent of economically active that are mobilized, that are serving in the army. This is a heavy burdeon. This is 10 percent of the manpower that is not there producing extra food, that is not there plowing the land. To tackle this we decided 30 to 40 percent of the land must be given to women in order to have a certain food security."

Sanne Winderixk:

Howa would like to farm and puts her name on the list.  Just one hectare would provide enough food for her entire family she says, and there'd be enough left over to sell in the local market.

Howa Mahmud Haj:

I think I can do it, the Ministry of Agriculture will teach me how to use the diversion canals, how to open and close them.

Sanne Winderixk:

But for Howa cultivating her own land isn't an easy choice. 

Despite an active women's liberation movement in Eritrea's capital and new laws allowing women to own land, traditional values still take precedence in isolated villages.  Explaining is Bissrat Ghabru, Professor of Agriculture from Asmara University:

Bissrat Ghabru:

In many part of the country and in some ethnic groups there is still this notion that women should not go into the fields, should not do what men do, like ploughing. In our traditional way you don't plough using a tractor, you have to plough using the oxen, so normally this function is done by men.

Sanne Winderixk:

An officer from the Ministry of Agriculture gives Howa a ride to see the land.  As she inspects the soil, tractors plough the fields in the distance.  For the first year at least the government will plough the land for her.   Howa reaches down and takes some earth into her hands.  It's good, she says. The soil is good.

Howa Mahmud Haj:

If I get land, I am prepared to farm it. I will do anything for my children.

Sanne Winderixk:

Howa's choice may question the traditional role of women in her village, but her willpower and determination offers an example that others may follow, and it certainly gives her family an opportunity for a better future.   This is Sanne Winderickx from IFAD, for UN Radio.