Activités économiques féminines et émancipation sélective chez les gabri du Tchad: approche anthrologique

Abstract

This research work is entitled: “Women’s economic activities and selective emancipation among the Gabri of Chad. Anthropological approach”. The problem presented is that of the contribution of the Gabri woman to endogenous development. In reality, the Gabri culture is at odds with regard to the independence of work and its contribution to development, by excluding it from certain activities. Under the yoke of the cultural subdivision of societal roles, the Gabri woman is discredited in decision-making, because she is considered a weaker sex. However, the latter is a pillar of development, thanks to its productive work. Therefore, we mainly ask the following question: How do Gabri women contribute to development? From this, the following secondary questions arise: What are the economic activities practiced by Gabri women. What is the impact of the economic activities of Gabri women on endogenous development? What are the sociocultural representations on the economic activities of Gabri women? From the above, a series of hypotheses and research objectives arise. The answers to these questions were subject to a double methodological procedure, namely: documentary research and field research following a qualitative approach. The first consisted of the exploitation of writings related to this work. While the second made it possible to face empirical realities, through data collection techniques such as direct observation, semi-structured interviews, life stories and group discussions, in Deressia through its surrounding villages and Laï, capital of the Tandjilé-Est department. During this fieldwork, the data obtained were subjected to analyzes and interpretations in the light of feminism, modernism and the theory of social representations. The results of this research sufficiently show that Gabri women cooperate in local development in many areas of socio- cultural life. On the other hand, this empowerment has a very negative impact on the Gabri country in terms of loss of cultural identity: insubordination to cultural and traditional norms, the exposure of women to prostitution and many others. The insight from our field data illustrates the realities of the emancipated Gabri woman. So, we are talking about suggestions as possible solutions to this phenomenon. It is about raising awareness among the two actors, namely the community and the Gabri woman. On the one hand, to make the community aware of the role of women and their participation in endogenous development, and on the other, to make women understand that their emancipation cannot take place outside of respect for norms and values established by the community.