Collection and Analysis of Data on Rural Women's Time Use

Abstract

A UNESCO-sponsored Project for Equal Access of Women and Girls to Education was designed to run from 1965-75 in Upper Volta and promote educational opportunities for females, allowing them to provide increased contributions to the nation's social and economic development. The project began with a collection of information to assess obstacles preventing the access of girls and women to education. Initial pilot projects sought to lighten women's work loads through the introduction of technology. The time-use data showed that, in the 1st 14 hours of the day, women performed 64% of the food production/distribution/supply tasks, 23% of the crafts and other professions, 97% of household tasks, and 23% of community obligations. The women's work made up 56% of all work performed in that period. Female workloads after this 14-hour period of observation were expected to rise since the evening meal was not included in the data collection time period. Women with co-wives had reduced workloads. Age did not affect women's time use; females began to put in longer work days than males at the age of 7. The availability of technology, e.g., food preparation machines, did not lighten the load. The data collected indicate that women's work loads must be lightened before they can benefit from increased educational opportunities.

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