If your feet hurt, you hurt all over, making it difficult to get anything done. For that reason, keeping your feet healthy and pain-free is an important aspect of your overall health.

Podoconiosis is a non-infectious disease caused by leg swelling (lymphoedema) from long-term exposure of bare feet to irritant soils. Absorption of minerals from the soil through the skin causes a geochemical reaction that leads to leg swelling (lymphoedema). There are an estimated four million cases in highland tropical and sub-tropical areas in Africa, Central and South America, and South and South-East Asia. Podoconiosis affects poor, remote, subsistence farming communities and, by affecting livelihoods, it traps these communities in poverty. Women and girls are both more likely to contract podoconiosis and more likely to suffer from its social and economic consequences.

Can the right footwear protect against podoconiosis?

A research project led by Gloria Igihozo, a PhD student focused on neglected tropical diseases, revealed that cultural stigmas and decision-making dynamics within households hindered women's ability to access suitable farming boots. This not only increased their vulnerability to podoconiosis but also perpetuated gender inequalities in health within Rwandan communities.

Through community engagement in rural areas, women were invited to share their needs and preferences for farming boots, leading to the development of a tailored prototype. Collaborating with a local non-governmental organization, more than 180 pairs of boots were manufactured and distributed to both men and women for testing. This initiative was complemented by education campaigns addressing podoconiosis prevention, the reduction of stigma relating to women wearing boots, and the importance of gender-inclusive health practices.

This project highlights how addressing footwear access and fostering community involvement in Rwanda can empower women and dismantle harmful gender norms. By focusing on practical solutions like designing appropriate protective gear and involving the community in the process, significant strides can be made in improving health outcomes and promoting gender equity.