The+role+of+women+in+the+efficient+use+of+resources

Women in Africa are key actors in the utilization and management of natural resources, which include land, crops, water, forests and wildlife (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Swedish International Development Authority FAO/SIDA). They are the main producers and providers of food and doe 70-80% of subsistence farming in Africa (J. Green and L.A. Trupp). In addition to food crop production women are increasingly involved in cash crop, although very often their incomes is controlled by male members of the family Table 2. Shows the general gender division of labor in Africa and the average time spent by men and women performing different household tasks. Women not only have a rich knowledge of natural resource but spend a great deal of their time and effort in collecting, processing and storage of the edible fruits, oils leaves and nuts collected which form 10-50% of food consumed by household in certain time of the year, regions and seasons in the New Sudan. Despite the fact that indigenous wild foods are collected mainly by women, girls and sometimes boys, it is eaten by all including men (see table 3a and 3b). In addition, they also collect fiber, fuel wood construction materials, tans, gums, medicinal herbs, forage. Table 2. General gender division of labor in Africa: How the work is divided (percentage of total labor in hours) In most Sudanese societies, women spend most of their time and effort on food production and providing care to their households and communities. Women’s contribution to peace building, conflict resolution and reconciliation are more pronounced at household and community levels and this is recognized and appreciated by most south Sudanese societies. Women engage in a range of economic activities that include sale of farm produce, milk and milk products, individually or assisting their husbands in cash crop production, selling firewood and other forest products, handcrafts, commerce and production of other services. Women require access to resources such as fertile land, forests, woodlands, rivers and lakes. From forests and woodlands, women get fuel wood, medicinal plants, indigenous food plants and other forest products, such as honey, mushrooms, etc. While rivers, swamps and lakes are a source of fish, used as food and for earning incomes. In addition, women need to have access to financial services for establishing or expanding their businesses. Sudan believes this must be the first step in aiding women in their struggle to hold the world together.
 * Tasks |||| % of total labor ||
 * ^  || men || women ||
 * Feeding family || 6 || 94 ||
 * Hunting || 90 || 10 ||
 * Domestic stock || 50 || 50 ||
 * Fuel and water || 10 || 90 ||
 * Marketing || 40 || 60 ||
 * Processing || 10 || 90 ||
 * Storing || 20 || 80 ||
 * Transportation || 20 || 80 ||
 * Harvesting || 40 || 60 ||
 * Hoeing and weeding || 30 || 70 ||
 * Planting || 50 || 50 ||
 * Turning soil || 70 || 30 ||
 * Clearing || 90 || 10 ||

1. Urges the UN to set up awareness campaigns throughout LEDC’s on educating the women how to successfully carry out their daily tasks in a resource-conscious manner. 2. Requests that countries expand the range of activities that women take part in as a way to maximize use of resources. 3. Reaffirms the fact that by women partaking part in a larger range of activities involved in economical growth will promote social deveopment.