From builders to unskilled laborers: Westernization of the role of women in house construction in Botswana

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Book chapter

Title:	From builders to unskilled laborers: Westernization of the role of women in house construction in Botswana
Author:	Kalabamu, Faustin T.
Book title:	Globalization, democracy and development in Africa: challenges and prospects
Year:	2001
Pages:	327-346
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Botswana
Subjects:	gender relations women's work construction industry dwellings
Abstract:	The transformation of sedentary pastoral communities in various parts of Africa into urbanized Western-style societies has led to a breakdown in traditional gender roles. In Botswana, with the introduction of exogenous building materials, skills and values, Tswana house construction and maintenance, which used to be women's responsibility, has been taken over by men. The takeover was initially aided by the white settler population but is currently promoted by urban managers and policymakers. In the process, women have been marginalized. Men's invasion of what was traditionally accepted as a female domain has contributed to widespread unemployment and poverty among women in urban areas. Supporting data come from two studies undertaken by the author in Lobatse between 1995 and 1999. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract]