article · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Women play an increasingly prominent role in horticulture across Africa, carrying out demanding work on family holdings or as hired farm workers. While pesticides are routinely deployed to protect crops and boost yields, the associated health hazards for female workers have received little research attention. An exploratory study conducted in northern Tanzania examined these dynamics through focus group discussions with 46 female farm workers across four villages. The investigation identified critical concerns around the division of labour, unsafe chemical storage, improper disposal, and a marked lack of protective equipment. Although spraying is traditionally viewed as men's work, economic pressure pushes poor or unmarried women to undertake it. Despite understanding the health dangers, financial need and prevailing social norms force women to maintain this exposure. Interventions tailored to gender roles and focused on occupational safety are required to reduce chemical hazards for these agricultural workers.
Horticultural production relies heavily on female labour, yet women face disproportionate health risks from pesticide toxicity without adequate protective gear or training. Understanding how economic pressures and gender roles interact with chemical hazards is crucial for public health agencies and agricultural organisations designing targeted occupational safety interventions, protecting both worker wellbeing and rural community health.
The findings provide early-stage qualitative evidence that could inform the design of targeted occupational health training programmes, affordable personal protective equipment, and agricultural extension services for female farm workers. Potential users include agricultural development agencies, extension providers, and safety equipment manufacturers. However, the abstract does not indicate a direct commercial application pathway or technology readiness level.
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Over the past decades, women's participation in horticulture has become increasingly apparent across Africa. Women perform physically demanding agricultural work on family farms, as hired laborers, or as paid workers on other farms. To increase yield and protect crops, pesticides are used, yet the health risks faced by these women remain under-researched. This qualitative exploratory case study conducted in 2023, in four villages in northern Tanzania, explored pesticide exposure risks, gender roles, and awareness among women working on horticultural farms. Data were collected through four focus group discussions with 46 women (mean age, 39 years; mean work experience, 10 years). Data was transcribed and thematically analyzed. Six themes emerged: gender division of labor, limited training and awareness, adverse health effects, unsafe storage and disposal practices, inadequate protective measures, and resilience. Although pesticide spraying was typically performed by men, poor or unmarried women also undertook this task. Women had limited access to training on safe pesticide handling, and protective gear was rarely used. Despite awareness of potential health risks, economic necessity and prevailing gender norms compelled continued exposure. Gender-sensitive interventions including targeted occupational health education and promotion of safer agricultural practices are urgently needed to reduce pesticide-related health effects among women.
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DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22101529
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