Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa

iv. The need to acknowledge the legitimate rights of pastoralists to pastoral lands by grantingthem communal land ownership on a priority basis.In this regard, pastoralists should always be adequately compensated and/or their consent shouldbe required in case of expropriation of their communal pastoral land for bio-energy production,development of oil and mineral deposits, and construction of basic socio- economic infrastructurese.g., roads, telecommunication lines, power distribution lines, health and education establishments,or any other infrastructure intended to serve public interest.It is important to note the positive actions taken in this direction at continental, regional andnational levels. In this respect, the Framework and Guidelines for Land Policy in Africa adoptedin July 2009 by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government is a key point of reference,and includes measures designed to improve indigenous tenure arrangements.Strategy 1.5 Strengthening the role and rights of women in pastoral communitiesIn practically all the African pastoral communities, women traditionally play an important role inlivestock rearing, processing milk, selling dairy products and maintaining households. Yet, they donot own valuable property, are the least educated, and are excluded from decision-making processesand resource management and allocation. As a consequence, they benefit the least from pastoralism.Policy measures and interventions have not specifically addressed this imbalance by creatinggender equality and empowering women and youths in decision-making. As policies are developed,gender considerations must be taken into account while ensuring that women have equal rightswith respect to education, access and ownership of property and resources and active participationin development activities including peace building. Equal rights for women to inheritance shouldbe particularly enforced. Measures concerning women’s rights to inheritance and land ownershipcontained in AU Framework and Guidelines for Land Policy in Africa should be fully applied inthis case.Strategy 1.6 Mainstreaming pastoral issues in poverty reduction programsa) The need to break the cycle of persistent poverty in pastoral communitiesEven though appreciable efforts are being made to ameliorate the challenges faced by pastoralcommunities, they still face alarming and worsening levels of vulnerability and poverty, protractedand severe insecurity, spatial isolation and political marginalization. The persistence of povertyin pastoral communities relates to the inability of most African countries to satisfy the basic needsof the pastoral communities. Balanced and broad based development programs, adequately designedand implemented in the interest of all the segments of the population, can be instrumental ineradicating extreme poverty.b) Making pastoral development an integral part of sustainable developmentThe need to recognize pastoralism as part of Africa’s political, economic and cultural developmenthas been demonstrated throughout this document. Economically, pastoralists produce very substantialamounts of animal products, and contribute considerably to livestock trade. They adaptto economic and environment changes, drawing on efficient traditional systems of governance andSecuring, Protecting and Improving the Lives, Livelihoods and Rights of Pastoralist Communities35