Somali Women Economic Empowerment

Strategic sector 05 of 10

Livestock & Livelihood Development

Livestock underpins the livelihoods of a large share of Somali households. SWEEF works with women in pastoral and agro-pastoral systems to strengthen their position in livestock value chains.

Two Somali women tend goats and a camel beside a thorn enclosure in an arid pastoral settlement.

What this sector is for

In pastoral households livestock is both the principal asset and the principal exposure. Women’s roles — milking, processing, small-stock management, trading — are substantial, and are typically the least visible in the value chain.

SWEEF works on terms of trade and on processing, because a household that sells only live animals at the moment of greatest need sells at the worst price.

Where this sits on the empowerment pathway

  • Market access
  • Income
  • Resilience

SWEEF delivers the stages together rather than in isolation. See the full model

Key intervention areas

What SWEEF does in this sector

These are the areas the Foundation is mandated and structured to work in. They describe intended activity, not delivered results.

  • Support to women livestock producers and traders
  • Participation in livestock and livestock-product value chains
  • Milk, meat, hide and animal-product processing
  • Livelihood diversification for pastoral households
  • Market access and improved terms of trade
  • Resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods

Partner in this sector

Strengthening women's position in livestock value chains across pastoral and agro-pastoral systems.

SWEEF is seeking technical partners, buyers, financiers and government counterparts with a stake in this sector.

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