Integrated profile of Santo Antao : environment, poverty, women

This integrated profile of Santo Antao outlines the state of the environment, poverty and the position of women on the island. It is divided into two parts: a Descriptive Part and an Analytical Part. The Descriptive Part depicts the natural and human environment and outlines the use of natural resources and sources of energy. It presents data pertaining to these issues. The chapter on the natural environment details the precipitation in the area, some of which comes in the form of condensation. During the rainy season, the intensity of the rainfall often has a devastating effect on agricultural land. Large quantities of water flow into the sea without being utilised, posing serious problems in respect of the management of water resources. Because of Santo Antao's limited water supply, exploitation of additional sources of water is an important issue. The Analytical Part of the report describes the identification of the problems faced by Santo Antao with regard to the environment, poverty and the difficulties facing women. It evaluates the effects of policies, aid and development projects and programmes in the human and physical environment on nature, poverty and the position of women. There is a whole chapter on the women of Santo Antao with a detailed description of the role and problems of women in this society. This is followed by a chapter on interventions, which also briefly touches upon the issues of the exploration for water, and on soil and water conservation.