Networks of nomads: negotiating access to health resources among pastoralist women in Chad.

摘要: Health resources among pastoralist groups are strongly gendered. While certain types of health fall within the female domain (home-based treatment, caring and supportive roles, knowledge surrounding particular reproductive conditions), access to most outside practitioners, treatments is controlled largely by men. For women, this means that actions taken during illness episodes depend on nature quality social support systems available, their ability mobilise them effectively. These include husband other affines, male kin, networks kin friends. Factors such as position domestic wider units, well life cycle, affect women's these different for needs. However, seasonal mobility interacts with gender in complex ways profoundly influence resources. Most literature nomadic peoples focuses physical barriers posed spatial accessing it suggested here that, women Chad, fluidity might be a more important consideration. At times year enjoy relatively easy large range extended contacts, while at times, when people very dispersed, options become much limited, often resulting treatment being delayed. Mobility should not, though, seen purely constraint. It can also an opportunity, increasing potential geographical resource base regard women.