Liberalisation of the Mongolian Pastoral Economy and its Impact Within the Household: A Case Study of Arhangai and Dornogobi Provinces

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the differential impact (by age and gender) of economic liberalisation on herding households in Mongolia. The findings are based on five weeks field work in Dornogobi and Arhangai provinces carried out between August and October 1992. The discussion focuses on changing income, expenditure and consumption patterns of herding households and considers the present and future impact of these changes on women, children and older people. The framework for this discussion will be a consideration of the household from a gender perspective and will include relevant data concerning houshold division of labour and time use, the relative position of men and women in household decision-making and the position of female headed households.