Indonesia + 1 more
Gender Issues in West Timor
From WFP - Gender News No. 21
The team observed that the majority of displaced/refugee men are no longer able to fulfil their traditional role as breadwinners and providers. . . They are now perhaps unable to adequately provide for their families and essentially remain idle in the camps . . . As for the women, their multiple roles at the household and/or community level remain relatively unchanged as they continue to bear responsibility for child care, housework and traditional chores such as water and firewood collection (kerosene stoves have been distributed but not to all households). Nevertheless, displaced refugee women appear to be the most susceptible to stresses exerted on household food economies. For example, women admitted that despite shortages in food supply, they feel compelled to use the cash subsidy [they receive] to buy coffee and cigarettes, items that are consumed almost exclusively by men.
The team observed that the majority of displaced/refugee men are no longer able to fulfil their traditional role as breadwinners and providers. . . They are now perhaps unable to adequately provide for their families and essentially remain idle in the camps . . . As for the women, their multiple roles at the household and/or community level remain relatively unchanged as they continue to bear responsibility for child care, housework and traditional chores such as water and firewood collection (kerosene stoves have been distributed but not to all households). Nevertheless, displaced refugee women appear to be the most susceptible to stresses exerted on household food economies. For example, women admitted that despite shortages in food supply, they feel compelled to use the cash subsidy [they receive] to buy coffee and cigarettes, items that are consumed almost exclusively by men.
Bill Barclay and Marie-France Bourgeois
(from a WFP/UNHCR joint report)