Abstract

In Burkina Faso wood is almost the sole source of energy, but supplies are diminishing visibly. This project will examine the effects of the increasing scarcity of fuelwood on the work loads of women and the nutritional intake of families. It will generate data on (1) the availability and quality of fuelwood in several regions of the country and (2) on the changes and modifications in the tasks undertaken by household members, particularly women, as a direct result of spending more time searching for fuelwood. It also will examine the nutritional value of food consumed within the household and the extent to which dietary changes have occurred as a result of the increasing shortage of firewood. Field work will be carried out in three different zones of the country, each with different ecological profiles and ethnic compositions.

Post-Project Summary

A survey of 375 households was undertaken in three agroecological zones of the Sahel region to assess the correlation between fuelwood management (culturally relegated to women) and household nutritional status. The impact of fuelwood scarcity on women's workload and on family nutrition was analyzed in each zone by establishing a geographical and demographic profile; the availability of fuelwood and means used to acquire it; and the strategies employed at the household level to adjust to shortages. In addition, cultural beliefs limiting the protein intake of women and children, and the nutritional value of traditional diets were examined. It was found that women in rural regions gathered fuelwood used for cooking by travelling from three to ten km outside the village every two to three days, while women in urban areas purchased it in the city (Bobo-Dioulasso or Ouagadougou) at unregulated prices. Examples of resultant changes in food preparation were less meals per day in Ouagadougou to conserve fuelwood, and time constraints on rural women who therefore produced less shea butter, soumbala, and peanut butter for sale in the cities. The study made recommendations on fuelwood conservation and distribution; improved wood stove promotion by involving trained volunteer women of UFB (l'Union des Femmes de Burkina Fasso); continued research on gas stoves used in the city; and suggested attitudinal and nutritional changes in the family diet. The project was related to three other IDRC-funded projects: "Solar Timber Dryer (Brazil) 86-0046, "Energy Use and Technology Assimilation (Mexico) 85-0176, and "Management of Household Fuel in Rural India: the Role of Women" 85-0216.

Recipient Institution(s)