Women’s experiences and perspectives on livestock management and empowerment in PPR vaccination in the Somali region, Ethiopia

Abstract Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a viral disease that severely impacts small ruminants, posing significant threats to rural livelihoods and food security. Pastoral women, as the primary caregivers of sheep and goats, disproportionately bear the burden of managing the disease. The study was conducted in the Somali region of Ethiopia following a gender-responsive PPR intervention project. Its aims were to (1) explore women’s experiences and perspectives regarding their roles in livestock management and their empowerment in PPR vaccination, and (2) identify and discuss the barriers to and drivers of women’s empowerment in PPR vaccination. Eight focus group discussions were held with women from three districts, encompassing communities both with and without women trained in PPR vaccination, enabling qualitative comparisons. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified two main themes. The first theme, “Navigating hierarchies and the feminization of responsibility,” includes subthemes on women’s increasing responsibilities in livestock management, cultural norms, and the added strain caused by men’s disengagement due to khat consumption. The second theme, “Knowledge privilege, dilemmas, and gaps,” contrasts the experiences of women with and without PPR training, highlighting both the empowerment of trained women and the dilemmas they face, such as limited vaccine access, and concerns arising from knowledge gaps, including vaccine hesitancy among livestock owners. The study identifies and discusses key barriers to women’s empowerment in PPR vaccination, including cultural and gender norms, heavy workloads, limited access to vaccines, long travel distances with safety concerns, and vaccine hesitancy. Key drivers include women’s leadership in livestock management, women’s strong motivation to learn and engage, and community trust and support. The findings emphasize critical research gaps, such as the need for an intersectional analysis of the vaccine distribution system. Additionally, focus group participants proposed a “train-the-trainer” model for community-based training initiatives, particularly targeting pastoral women, as a potential solution. One Health impact statement This research underscores the importance of involving pastoral women in the management of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a viral disease that significantly affects sheep and goats and, in consequence, food safety and women’s economy. It highlights the risk of overburdening women in poverty reduction efforts, particularly in the context of men’s disengagement, and emphasizes the need for gender-responsive initiatives to sustainably reduce women’s workloads. By empowering women in animal health management through such initiatives, both animal health and the livelihoods and food security of rural communities are improved. This demonstrates the value of a One Health approach, which integrates human, veterinary, and social sciences to comprehensively address health challenges. The research was enabled by long-standing trust relationships between Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VSF-Suisse) staff and communities, fostering strong community engagement. The qualitative and reflexive approach to data analysis enabled the voices to be heard of those most affected, supporting the co-production of knowledge and enhancing the research’s societal relevance.