How the global trade in donkey skins threatens the lives of women and girls | Letter

The global trade in donkey skins, primarily driven by the demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine, has resulted in the slaughter of an estimated 5.9 million donkeys annually. This brutal industry has emerged in response to the depletion of donkey populations in China, leading to increased exploitation in regions of the global south. The process of capturing, transporting, and slaughtering these animals is fraught with suffering, highlighting the urgent need for regulation in a trade that remains largely unmonitored. The consequences of this trade extend beyond the animals themselves, significantly impacting the lives of women and girls in affected communities. In many areas, donkeys serve as essential partners in labor and daily life; their theft can lead to a dramatic decrease in household income, with reports indicating that income can fall by as much as 73%. Alarmingly, over 90% of women in a specific Kenyan region have experienced donkey theft, forcing many children, particularly girls, to abandon their education to take on additional burdens in the absence of these crucial animals.

The crisis is not limited to African nations; the donkey population in Brazil has plummeted by 94% over the past three decades, raising concerns about the future of these animals and the communities that rely on them. However, there is a glimmer of hope as Brazilian legislators prepare to consider a bill that would ban the slaughter of donkeys, offering a chance to protect these animals. At the recent Pan-African Donkey Conference held in Côte d'Ivoire, leaders from across the continent emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to safeguard donkeys and the livelihoods dependent on them. This is a pivotal moment not just for animal rights but also for advancing gender equality and poverty reduction, as the donkey skin trade undermines progress towards these UN sustainable development goals. Advocates stress that the fight against this trade is essential for fostering a more compassionate world where donkeys are treated with the respect they deserve.