Addressing gender in research work

Capacity building for gender research and mainstreaming

Agriculture as a livelihood has a structure, norms, beliefs and practices that direct the household members’ roles and rights in the production, distribution and consumption of agricultural produce. Gender also determines the entitlements, constraints in time, mobility and resources of males, females, boys and girls in performing their economic and social roles (Grieco 1997).

Research for development interventions may have multiple and variable interests and effects for different gender roles within the household. For researchers, understanding and determining this variance using appropriate analytical tools can improve the effectiveness and impact of their interventions.

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A recent training course on “Gender Concepts, Tools & Practices in Agricultural R&D” was held in Arusha, Tanzania from 21-24 March 2016 for 20 staff from the World Vegetable Center and partner organizations working on projects in eastern and southern Africa.

Designed jointly with African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), the course was delivered by AWARD’s expert trainers, Ms. Namumbya Monica Kapiriri and Dr. Maria Nassuna-Musoke. AWARD is a nonprofit initiative supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.

To gain a deeper, practical understanding of gender concepts, participants mapped gender roles and activities of various actors (producer, marketer, processor, consumer, etc.) across the vegetable value chain, and looked for gender-based limitations, exclusions and gaps. They worked on trend line analyses—historical timelines that use key events in history (like a country’s independence, severe famine or epidemic, etc.) as reference points to collect data and track changes in farm, community activities, and gender roles over a period of time. The use of feasibility analyses, another participatory tool to assess the likelihood of options, interest of different gender groups, and how they perceive the benefits differently, was explored.

Members of the local community actively joined in the course activities. The course participants were thrilled when several community members shared their ‘A-ha’ moments:  An elderly gentleman said: “Knowing to use the tool will help my village to evaluate future projects better to ensure all members of the community are benefited.” And the youngest female community member stepped out boldly and shared: “I now know how to collaborate with others and understand my rights and the importance of equity.”

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Story and photos: I.R. Nagaraj

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