Examining the socio-economic impacts of oil production on women: the case of Paloch Area, Upper Nile State-South Sudan

Abstract

Oil is a major source of revenues for South Sudan as it provides 98 percent of the government’s revenues. During independence in 2011, there were hopes that oil revenues would be used for developments and to improve the lives of local women and men. This has not happened since local women are still poor and their lives have been impacted negatively by the oil production activities. Most of the studies done in Paloch focused on the socioeconomic benefits of oil production on the local communities but none of the researches focused specifically on women. This dissertation investigated the socio-economic impacts of oil production on women in Paloch area from August 2022 to October 2023. The study used qualitative approach and adopted case study research design. Purposeful sampling was done to select 32 participants in Paloch. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews methods were used to gather primary data. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings show mixed results – benefits and costs. The benefits exceeded costs. Such benefits include water supply, market for selling petty goods and services, roads and lower-level employment opportunities (Cleaners with Friendship Hospital – a medical facility constructed and run by DPOC). The costs include displacement without compensation, disruption of food supply, poor shelters, poor roads, poor electricity, environmental pollution, poor health conditions, surges in gender-based violence cases, negative changes in local cultures and social roles, among others. Despite such vulnerability to oil production in Paloch, the study also found out women as the linchpins of their families, playing a huge role to ensure the nutrition, education and health of their families is up-to-date. The study recommends provision of economic and social services, unpacking the patriarchal tendencies surrounding oil production, support for skills development among women, inclusion of women in decision-making regarding oil production activities, enforcement of laws to protect the environment and gender mainstreaming of South Sudan Petroleum Act, 2012 and other relevant laws to encourage women participation in the oil the sector