Paper short abstract:

This study examines nomadic women's understudied experiences with Mega projects, notably Tanzania's Turkish-built Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), by uncovering these women's untold stories and provides a comprehensive picture of their experiences through in-depth interviews and narrative analysis.

Paper long abstract:

This qualitative research study examines nomadic women's understudied experiences with large-scale infrastructure projects, notably Tanzania's Turkish-built Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). Large infrastructure projects, like railways, might affect pastoral populations, especially women. These initiatives generally acquire large tracts of marginal pastoralist land, which might displace or constrain grazing communities . These projects may disproportionately affect women, who manage resources, care for families, and operate households, according to literature.

This study seeks to analyse pastoralist women's SGR experiences and identify compensation and involvement/ participation methods that reduce negative consequences and promote sustainable development. Turkey is building the Tanzanian SGR, unlike Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. This study will compare Turkey's SGR experience with other countries' local community participation and compensation .

The research will interview and focus group pastoralist women and other stakeholders to learn how their lifestyle and the SGR affect them. Pastoralist women's experiences and best practises will be thematically studied. This research will also illuminate nomadic women's complex experiences with large-scale infrastructure projects.

This research will inform the development rights and empowerment of underprivileged populations. It will also help policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders planning and designing inclusive, egalitarian, and sustainable large-scale infrastructure projects in pastoralist communities. This study seeks to challenge dominant narratives and promote inclusive and equitable development by giving nomadic women a voice.