Promoting gender participation in wool and mohair industry in Lesotho

Abstract

This study investigated the role of wool and mohair industry in promoting gender participation in the industry. The aim was to understand the extent and nature of male and female involvement, exploring the stages of participation, livelihood improvement, policies and initiatives and the relationship between the demographic attributes and stages of participation, livelihood improvement, policies and initiatives. Qualitative data was collected using one on one interviews with ten key informants and the results were used to inform the quantitative data collection from one hundred and twenty LNWMGA wool and mohair growers from Semonkong. Findings revealed significant gender disparities suggesting that wool and mohair industry had limit effect in promoting equal gender participation as women’s participation was limited by societal expectations and domestic responsibilities, and cultural norms, perceived expertise and lack of policies which favoured men in leadership roles, resulting in male dominance. The majority of growers (82.5%) confirmed men participate more while women’s participation was (16.7%). The chi square test was also used to determine the association between wool and mohair growers’ demographics and participation. The findings revealed that there is no association between the variables (equal participation, stages of participation, livelihood improvement and policies and initiatives) with gender, age, marital status and education. While, livelihood improvement, policies and stages of participation had the significant association with age and education. The wool and mohair industry does not promote gender participation especially equal participation.