Gender & Agriculture TOPS Capacity StrengtheningMaputo, September 2011

Why is it important to consider gender when we plan MYAPs?

Women’s role in agriculture Per FAO, 43% of agricultural labor in developing

countries provided by women In Mozambique, 90% of women involved in

agriculture; provide 62% of labor While women provide significant amounts of

agricultural labor, traditionally they have less control over resources and less access to training and inputs

Improving gender integration in agriculture can lead to long-term improvements in food security

Connectors between agricultural development and nutrition

Increased food for home consumption Increased income to spend on food Reductions in market prices because of

increased production Shifts in food preferences: greater diversity,

more nutritious choices Shifts in control of resources in household

Strong link to gender for all these connectors

Women and Food Security Women are more likely to direct household resources

to food, healthcare and education than men are Increased income is more likely to lead to improved

food security if women make resource decisions Women often have responsibility for feeding household

members, especially children. Nutrition education can be directly applied to improve household food security

Women are often among the most vulnerable to food insecurity

The health and nutrition of pregnant/ lactating women directly impacts the next generation

If all of these factors are so important, what are the constraints that prevent greater female participation in agricultural projects?

Constraints on female participation Low education and literacy levels Traditionally, men make resource decisions Weak land rights, limited access to agricultural

extension, equipment and technology, or credit Women have roles that keep them close to the

household: fetch water, wood, cooking Time/ energy dedicated to childbearing and

childcare Forums for agricultural development may not be

appropriate for women, either in terms of security or their ability to fulfill other household duties

In some cultures, difficult for women to speak up in presence of men

How do we improve gender integration in agriculture?

Essential elements

Understanding the context:• Analysis of gender roles in the community

(be aware of “do no harm” issues)• Analysis of gender roles in the farming

system/ along the value chains Reaching out to women during design,

monitoring and evaluation Including men in identifying constraints and

solutions

Homestead Food Production Applicable for households with limited land access Often complementary with women’s traditional

roles/ area of responsibility Small livestock often traditionally kept by women Good way to increase dietary diversity and

targeting specific nutritional needs (e.g., Vitamin A deficiency)

Homestead production can be seen as falling into the women’s sphere, and thus women can have more control over production/ money from sales (if good capacity building of men)

Integrating Women into Value Chains

1. Provide opportunities for women to gain access to inputs and market information

2. Assist women to overcome mobility constraints and social barriers

3. Assist women’s groups to purchase equipment to expand processing

4. Improve participation of women in association leadership roles

5. Build horizontal linkages that favor women and women’s enterprise participation

6. Encourage more women-owned enterprises to join trade associations

Other opportunities for incorporating women

Access to microfinance; women sometimes specifically targeted

Payment systems via mobile phone can make it easier to reach female producers and for women to retain control over income

Technology can enable greater female participation; e.g., treadle pumps

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This presentation was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Mercy Corps and Save the Children and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.