Bedouin livelihoods: the role of women in the Jordanian Badia

Abstract

Women's issues have been increasingly receiving more attention by development planners, scholars and practitioners In the east and west. In the Middle East more efforts have been devoted towards the Inclusion of women In the labour force and the political arena. These efforts have faced some difficulties In respect to the social perceptions of Muslim women’s roles and the scarcity of representative data regarding women’s productive contribution In the economy and In maintaining their families' livelihoods. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of Arab and Muslim women's status at the household and societal levels is needed to conceptualise women's roles and put development efforts In the right effective gear. This study, which Investigates Bedouin livelihoods and the role of women In the Jordanian Badia, attempts to unfold the productive roles and the decision-making perspectives of a specific category of the female population In Jordan, 'Bedouin women'. It challenges the stereotyped picture of Muslim women and, more specifically, Bedouin women who have been regarded by their societies and others as less productive, subordinate and to some extent passive in respect to their contributions towards their households' survival and their decision-making power In comparison to men. The major findings of this study show that Bedouin women today provide essential Inputs Into maintaining their household's survival and providing vital needs for their livelihoods, In addition to acquiring an influential share of power regarding decisions related to their households. These findings stem from the application of a qualitative research methodology that Involved prolonged group discussion sessions, individual Interviews and observational tools in the north-eastern Badia of Jordan. This qualitative research methodology was used for In-depth research conducted on 30 households to give substance to the research findings and provide detailed Information from the local Bedouin people involved In the study. The discussion of the research findings presented in chapters four, five and six regarding Bedouin livelihoods and the role of women In the Jordanian Badia identifies some focal points upon which further Investigation and research Into the status of Bedouin women can be based.