Like many pastoral communities in East Africa, the Maasai are increasingly faced with frequent and extended periods of drought. Drought in the region can be partially explained by lack of rainfall and is linked to a wide-range of political and economic factors (Homewood, 2008). To mitigate the impact of drought, the Maasai engage in seasonal migration in search of pasture and water. In recent years, land loss and fragmentation pose challenges for pastoral mobility across rangeland environments.

The gendered dynamics tied to seasonal migrations are less understood and appreciated; mobility is often prefixed on a woman’s capacity to manage the household and food supply. An understanding of the gender dynamics at play during migrations is critical to improving policies aimed at supporting pastoral livelihoods and food security in rangeland environments.

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