Creating Indigenous women's green jobs in the Bolivian quinoa sector for a low-carbon COVID-19 response and recovery

 

The Bolivian Andean Altiplano has extremely harsh climatic conditions. In this context, quinoa production has become an important survival strategy for many Indigenous households. Unfortunately, this strategy has not translated into better living conditions and green jobs. Creating decent jobs is a major commitment in the 2009 Bolivian Constitution. However, recent household survey data shows that 91% of agricultural employment is vulnerable, with women, mostly Indigenous women, having the worst rates. Fewer than 20% are covered under the pension system. Moreover, amid adverse climatic and economic trends, vulnerability has been growing and the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the circumstances of most farmers.

This project will help build a social-protection mechanism linked to the provision of fair, stable, sustainable labour income for quinoa workers. The project will seek to increase access for Indigenous women producers to the social security system. To foster a low-carbon transition in the quinoa sector, the research team will estimate the carbon and water footprint, and explore solutions which include identifying climate-adapted best agricultural practices and designing of sustainable business and climate risk insurances. Active involvement of women quinoa producers in the project will ensure that all solutions will be accessed and adopted by them. In response to the adverse impact of the pandemic, it will also promote socioeconomic reactivation strategies on health and labour income