Workshop on Gender in value chains and Coaching Track : an overview on gender related activities in around Agri-Hub network

Lenesil Asfaw & Angelina Senders

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Feb. 07,2012

Presentation Objectives• To Introduce APF Engagement in GVCD;

• Give an overview of a Gender practice in Agri.VCD in selected NGOs in Ethiopia;

• To appreciate the relevance of the coaching trajectory in GVCD activities

I. Introduction

1. General 1.1 About Agri-Profocus:• A membership based forum of companies and NGOs

engaged in AVC activities (worldwide- Gender-ning);• Its members, their partners & the stakeholders are

working to improve farmer entrepreneurship in Ethiopia; •Mobilizes its members and Pool funds, knowledge, skills, expertise, rural finance, and

organisational and institutional capacity development in VCD

Cont. 1.2 APF & Gender in VCD • understands the gender differential that are critical to effectively

address the weak linkages that negatively affect productivity, product quality (economics) and empowerment of the minorities (right- based

• Accepts the link b/n farmer’s entrepreneurship to women’s & men’s roles; and

• Considers women’s role in production and marketing process in agricultural value chains as significant and critical;

• Recognizes the impact of the differences and inequalities b/n women and men to access and control resources and benefits at all levels of value chains (production, processing marketing) development.

Cont.

APF Country Knowledge Agenda on Gender:2008: enriching value chain thinking and practices by

developing a gender sensitive approach;• developing strategies to empower women in VCD activities• Chain interventions (producers, processing , marketing) for

women’s empowerment.Knowledge development and joint action

• Overall gender equity/equality and value chain work through the APF learning trajectory;• Supporting initiatives undertaken at individual or

collaborating APF members

Cont.

APF’s Gender Engagement in Ethiopia:

2009: The gender in value chains platform: http://genderinvaluechains.ning.com/ took off (500 professionals worldwide):debate Q&A, share resources, lessons and results.

2010: Gender in the ValueChain Writeshop in Kenya;2011:Evaluation of the Writeshop within Ethiopia

– Gender Value Chain Expert Group Meeting

Cont.

2012 (Planned Activities & on going):

•Workshop on GVC and coaching trajectory;

•Book launch on GVCD resulting from the write shop in Nairobi

•Supporting participants in implementing and documenting the gender action plans;

•Experience sharing workshop;

•Development of cross country analysis based on lessons and experiences gained

II. Stocktaking in GAVC Practice

0. General:Goal • Understand the status of the gender practices of

NGOs/projects engaged in VCD and to forge working relations with APF Ethiopia

Methods:• E-Survey (20: NNGOs, INGOs, UN agencies, research

Institution, Embassy, Donors);• Face to face interview (7/9)

Outcome of the Stocktaking 1

1. Institutional Mechanisms: • Leadership commitment (present but not strong);

• Assigning a gender focal person(5/7);

• Gender mainstreaming and/or stand alone approaches (5/7);

• Gender policy, strategy developed and gender analysis conducted (2/7);

Continued

2. Target Groups:• FHHs (majority); and

• Women in MHHs

3. Intervention Strategies • Capacity (knowledge and skills)improvement;• Input supply (seed, technology-bee hive &

accessories); • Group formation (SHG, VSLA, FMOs –mixed &

women only;• technical and financial support (BDS, injecting

working capital);• Promoting role models –positive examples (not

well developed yet);• Social dialogue on gender relations and

development

Outcome of the stocktaking 2

Continued

• Creating alternative financial services and (VSLA, SHGs, FFMOs) and linkage to formal financial inst.(SACCO, Unions, FMI);

• facilitating women’ engagement at all chain levels (producers, processers, traders);

• Fitting into women’s roles and family responsibilities whilst selecting VC product, women crops: Vegetables, poultry, Dairy);

Continued

• Integrating women in chain governance

• Developing chain partnership

Outcome of the stocktaking 3

4. success stories• Remarkable women’s active participation in

VCD- (FHHs/WMHHs)- mainly at producers and primary Coops levels;

• Women’s engagement in traditional men’s activities (Honey production and marketing)

• new skills of money management??? and saving culture introduced;

• alternative income source emerged; • Women’s access to and control over income,

information improved;(FHHs major);• Women’s decision-making roles at HH level

improved;

Continued

• Women’s leadership capacity developed and acknowledged at household level;

• Static gender roles and responsibilities changing (men/boys-domestic roles);

• Women’s mobility improved (low pace);• Women engagement at higher (processing,

marketing) chain levels developed (recent and challenging);

• ability and legitimacy to access credit extension and business development services (SHG-SACCO) Enhanced;

Assessment Results 4

5. Challenges/ Constraints 5.1 Cultural/ resistance• Community level subtle resistance to women’s mobility and

visibility;• Men’s withdrawal from family responsibilities (wait-and-see

attitude);• Women’s reluctance and low self-esteem to take up DM roles;• Women refrain from innovative ventures (risk aversion).

5.2 Project design • An increase in women’s work burden ;• Lack of strategy to effectively address women’s needs in

MMHs

Continued

• Overburdening the ‘girl child’ with domestic responsibilities (replacing the role of mothers engaged in activities outside of their homes).

5.3 Input • Unable to ease domestic chores (technology);• Lack of gender inclusive research and extension systems.

5.4 lack of Supportive policy • Unfriendly technical requirements of MFI’s: long bureaucracy

(low credit worthy profile)-lacks gender sensitivity;• unethical trade(Chain governors monopoly- poor market

networks); • lack of standard and quality control (except Coffee);

ContactAgri-ProFocusNetherlands:Tel: +31 (0)26 3542074Email: info@agri-profocus.nl

Agri-ProFocus in Ethiopia:Fair &SustainableEthiopiaPhone: +251 (0) 11 467 1059 Email: paulweijers.apf@gmail.com

LenesilAsfaw: nuhrosafe@gmail.com