Demarcating forest, containing disease: land and HIV/AIDS in southern Zambia

Abstract

The ongoing HIV/AIDS pandemic in southern Africa continues to manifest itself in unexpected ways. While the consequences of the disease appear straightforward in some aspects-e.g., medical, labor, cost-in other respects the repercussions, while large, are nonetheless highly nuanced and can be counterintuitive. This paper reports on the intersection of HIV/AIDS, migration, livelihood adaptation, land tenure, and forest conservation, to outline how adaptation to the pandemic has reworked significant aspects of land tenure to result in increased forest conservation in southern Zambia in the near to medium-term. The research uses a combination of ethnography, case studies, household survey and spatial analyses and finds that HIV/AIDS is used in customary legal settings to enhance land access. We also draw links to practical and theoretical implications of the relationship between HIV/AIDS, land tenure, and deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Addressing conflict through collective action in natural resource management

“…In Zambia, for example, women widowed by AIDS have worked in concert with an opening created by statutory law and the chiefs to build a case for retaining land ownership -challenging customary law that favored relatives of the deceased male head of household (Frank and Unruh 2008). Post-conflict situations may create opportunities for women to claim stronger rights, either where they have played a major role in peacemaking and rebuilding (as in Rwanda and Liberia) or because high widowhood rates make it more critical to provide women with control of resources to secure livelihoods and household wellbeing (Hunt and Posa 2001;Powley 2003).…”

Addressing conflict through collective action in natural resource management

“…In Zambia, for example, women widowed by AIDS have worked in concert with an opening created by statutory law and the chiefs to build a case for retaining land ownership-challenging customary law as practiced by the relatives of the deceased male head of household (Frank and Unruh 2008). Postconflict situations may create opportunities for women to claim stronger rights, either where they have played a major role in peacemaking and rebuilding (as in Rwanda and Liberia) or because high widowhood rates make it more critical to provide women with control of resources (Hunt and Posa 2001;Powley 2003).…”

How do HIV and AIDS impact the use of natural resources by poor rural populations? The case of wild animal products

“…For example, a study from Zambia has suggested that HIV/AIDS shocks can open up new opportunities for some groups, and may even provide a catalyst through which community-based natural resource management initiatives are strengthened rather than weakened. 21 Moreover, studies which adjust for household income level when exploring HIV/AIDS effects on natural resource use have suggested that HIV/AIDSattributable events, such as mortality in adults of prime age, may result in an increased use of natural resources by households affected by HIV/AIDS -but only if those households have sufficiently high income to cover the costs of collecting, processing and delivering these goods to local markets. 8,13 In addition to financial capital, household human and physical capital may also play a role in moderating the use of natural resources following an HIV/AIDS-related event.…”