Gender and Household Resource Management in Lesotho

Abstract

Household resource management in Lesotho is governed by the cultural practices that place members of the different gender at extremes, with the wife managing the domestic intra-familial activities, while the husband, since he is the household head, managing the inter-household activities. Decision-making and implementation are determined by the nature of activity and who according to cultural practices should be responsible. Level of education of the wife at intra-household level tends not to be a major determining factor of how decisions would be implemented. The level of education of the husband shapes the level at which decisions take place. A highly educated husband to a large extent may decide with his wife on what activities should be implemented and by whom. However, if the level of education of the wife is below that of the husband there seems to be a highly skewed nature of relationships regarding planning and implementation of household activities. The paper discusses management of land, labour, water, livestock, finances and firewood by both men and women in the rural and urban areas. The argument is that management of resources could be influenced by residential area whether in the rural or urban areas. In addition to this, the prolonged absence from home of the household head would also affect decisions as well as their implementation on time. The delay on the part of one of the decision-makers could constitute a take-over by the other household member. Such an action could constitute family problems, as the other party could personally feel undermined, or be viewed as being inefficient.


(Review of Southern African Studies: 2000 4 (1): 133-159)