CGIAR Initiative on Gender Equality

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/117893

Part of the CGIAR Action Area on Systems Transformation

Primary CGIAR impact area: Gender equality, youth and social inclusion

https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/26-her-harnessing-equality-for-resilience-in-the-agrifood-system/

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 612

Empowering youth & transforming communities through job creation & nutritious beans in Kenya
(Blog Post, 2025-04-07) Ong'or, Dennis; Inyanji, Eileen; Rubyogo, Jean Claude; Waswa, Boaz; Mabeya, Justin; Mwiti, Emily; Maritim, Mary; Karanja, David
In Kenya, the dependency on bean imports and the underutilization of domestic production opportunities has led to significant economic and employment gaps in the country’s agricultural sector. Addressing this challenge, the project “Nutritious Bean Products for Decent Employment for Youth in Kenya (NBP-DEYK),” initiated in 2021 by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and other partners, sought to empower youth, especially young women, through the production and processing of high iron and zinc beans (HIB). The project aimed to create at least 500 job opportunities—120 newly created jobs and 380 improved jobs—by leveraging the potential of HIB in the bean value chain. By the end of 2024, Cherubet Foods alone had created 110 new jobs, with 92% of these positions filled by youth, and improved over 500 existing roles, benefiting farmers, processors, and traders. The project also fostered growth within local farmer cooperatives, with a notable increase in women’s participation. Gender and age disaggregation showed that 60% of the new jobs went to young women, and 29% to young men. With these successes, the project demonstrates the potential for youth and women empowerment through agriculture, sustainable job creation, and community resilience. The results underscore the importance of leveraging partnerships, innovation, and technology to scale and sustain youth empowerment and community development efforts in Kenya.
Gender transformative research from proposal writing to evaluation
(Presentation, 2025-02-05) Nchanji, Eileen; Lutomia, Cosmas; Compaore, Eveline
How to integrate Gender equality and social inclusion in proposal writing Where are we on the gender agenda Frameworks Diverse donor expectations Tools/guides Concrete examples How to apply Gender transformative approaches – tools and guidelines  Where we are  Gender transformative approaches – WorldFish/FAO, Gender Impact platform/GTA COP Gender transformative indicators Some concrete examples How to develop inclusive gender communication What to focus on Some concrete examples
Shaping resilience: Gender insights on weather and climate information services in East Africa
(Report, 2024-12-20) Ouya, Fredrick; Lutomia, Cosmas; Mvuyibwami, Patrick; Byandaga, Livingstone; Kagabo, Desire; Nchanji, Eileen
Climate shock and stressors like floods and droughts affect agriculture in East Africa, where erratic weather patterns threaten agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. These impacts are disproportionately felt by women, youths, and other vulnerable groups like refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and persons living with disabilities (PLWDs). The above-mentioned group of persons often have a low resilience to climate change hazards. Limited resource access, restrictive cultural norms and socioeconomic barriers often constrain their adaptive capacity. This study assesses communities' access to, use and impact of Weather and Climate Information Services (WCIS) in four East African countries - Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. The study used a qualitative research design, employing Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to capture diverse respondents’ perspectives. A total of 34 FGDs (17 men, 16 women, and 1 mixed FGD) were conducted with farmers. Additionally, 98 KIIs (69 men and 29 women) were conducted with representatives of farmer cooperatives, NGOs, media, government officials (national metrological and hydrological services), scientists from the ministry, etc. This study revealed significant gendered disparities in accessing and utilising Weather and Climate Information Services (WCIS) across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. Men, women, and youths mainly accessed WCIS through television, radio, extension officers, and social media platforms like YouTube. Due to gender norms, additional information was obtained by men from the public meetings and community leaders; women, constrained by domestic responsibilities, got information from community meetings like savings groups and community networks. They also get information from informal discussions with family and friends. On the other hand, youth predominantly prefer social media but exhibit mixed trust toward agriculture-related information. Persons with disability or internally displaced persons have limited or often no access to assets – mobile phones, television and radios - that can be used to access climate and weather information. Youths also have resource limitations, like persons living with disabilities (PLWDs). WCIS provided farmers with information that resulted in timely planting, selecting the most suitable variety and the type of seeds to grow depending on the climate. It also influenced farmers to adopt sustainable practices like water conservation, crop rotation, and soil conservation, resulting in improved yields, reduced post-harvest losses, and enhanced food and nutrition security. Men dominate household decision-making, limiting women’s ability to act on climate information effectively. Limited access to technology and scepticism about forecast accuracy persist among farming communities. In Tanzania, accurate and localized forecasts in most regions have improved agricultural productivity and income compared to other countries. However, most rural areas are characterised by limited infrastructure and inequitable gender roles that restrict efficient access to WCIS. Participants across FGD and KII called for strengthening partnerships and collaborations between the Meteorology Agency, NGOs, and local leaders and a need to integrate indigenous knowledge with modern scientific data, delivered in a way that farmers can use it for their different crops and livestock. This study underscores the critical role of WCIS in building the resilience of farmers, prioritizing inclusive governance, community-driven approaches, and targeted investments; stakeholders can ensure that WCIS is delivered in an inclusive manner, particularly targeting those from marginalized and vulnerable groups, in adapting to the challenges of climate change. While WCIS has the potential to transform livelihoods and enhance climate resilience, systemic barriers that are often gendered must be addressed to achieve equitable outcomes. By prioritising inclusivity, fostering partnerships, and leveraging community knowledge, WCIS can empower vulnerable populations, drive sustainable development, and transform agricultural resilience across East Africa. This study also recommends developing synergies and partnerships to institutionalise WCIS in all country programs/projects and working with women and youth to drive climate resilience in rural areas. Initiatives supporting joint household decision-making and community-based climate-smart practices have improved productivity and reduced intra-household and family disputes.
The double burden of food and water insecurity: Implications for health, equality, and policy
(Opinion Piece, 2025-03-20) Chakrabarti, Suman
Food and water insecurity reflect a lack of reliable access to sufficient, safe, and affordable food and water to meet basic human needs. Both have significant impacts on nutrition, physical and mental health, learning, and family cohesion; however, their combined effects remain understudied. With a high co-occurrence observed across numerous low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), these insecurities are rooted in systemic factors, such as poverty, climate-related environmental stressors, resource scarcity, inadequate public infrastructure, weak governance, and conflict. Wang et al examined the association of the co-occurrence of food and water insecurity with functional disabilities in Ecuadorian adults. This novel research builds on emerging evidence on the intersectional implications of food and water insecurity for human well-being.
National breeding programs and variety release processes: A systematic review of how the interactions shape diversity and adoption of dryland legumes and cereals in Africa
(Journal Article, 2025-02-13) Templer, Noel; Gatwiri, Judy; Nchanji, Eileen; Gichuru, Lilian; Puozaa, Doris; Ojiewo, Chris
Dryland legumes and cereals are a good food source in Africa's drylands. However, their production is constrained by the limited availability of improved varieties and sustainable seed supply channels. The efficiency of breeding institutions and variety registration and release processes influence crop development and availability of a wide range of varieties in the market. The entire process influences the adoption of improved varieties, crop diversity, and the overall resilience of agricultural systems. Therefore, this article investigates how national breeding programs interact with registration and release processes for varieties to improve agricultural systems’ resilience in Africa. This study adopted the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses to identify and examine previous research. A total of 63 articles were reviewed. The study found that breeding efforts have focused on staple crops, neglecting dryland legumes and cereals. Among the significant challenges highlighted are limited resources and a weak regulatory framework. Additionally, poor communication between breeders and farmers and a lack of reliable data intensifies the challenges. Despite different stakeholders being involved in seed development and dissemination, they have poor coordination, which delays the introduction of new varieties. Furthermore, variety registration and release processes remain critical barriers to crop development. Hence, to promote agricultural productivity, improve seed accessibility, and enhance agricultural resilience in Africa, it is essential to streamline early-generation seed production and variety registration processes. It is also critical to enhance collaboration among all stakeholders in the seed production system and strengthen regulatory frameworks.
Evolution of intimate partner violence impacts from cash transfers, food transfers, and behaviour change communication: Mixed-method experimental evidence from a nine-year post-programme follow-up in Bangladesh
(Journal Article, 2025-04) Lokot, Michelle; Sultana, Nasrin; Hidrobo, Melissa; Ahmed, Akhter; Hoddinott, John F.; Rakshit, Deboleena; Roy, Shalini; Ranganathan, Meghna
Cash or food transfers can reduce intimate partner violence (IPV), but knowledge gaps remain on how impacts evolve over time, and the role of complementary ‘plus’ activities and contextual factors. We conducted a mixed-method analysis of how the Transfer Modality Research Initiative in Bangladesh affected IPV over time. The programme was implemented from 2012 to 2014, following a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design, across Northern and Southern Bangladesh. Intervention arms included monthly cash or food transfers, with or without complementary nutrition behaviour change communication (BCC). We estimate post-programme impacts on IPV using quantitative data collected in 2014–2015, 2018, and 2022, and combine this with qualitative data collected in 2023 to explore how and why IPV impacts evolved over time and the role of contextual factors. In the North, combining cash with BCC led to sustained IPV reductions in each post-programme round, while cash alone reduced IPV in 2022 but not the previous two rounds; food transfers showed no post-programme impacts. In the South, combining food with BCC led to post-programme IPV reductions in 2014–2015; no intervention sustained IPV reductions thereafter. Sustained IPV reductions are primarily driven by improved household economic security and emotional well-being. Other pathways – family relationships (including in-laws’ roles), women's empowerment, and social and community support – contributed to changing couples' relationships during the programme but became less salient after the programme ended. Contextual factors, including demographic changes, climate-related changes, external projects and norms condoning IPV appear to influence the sustainability of impacts. Results suggest that ‘plus’ programming was key to sustaining IPV impacts soon after the interventions, but less so by nine years post-programme, as economic security increasingly drove impacts. More mixed method research is needed from the outset to unpack if and how pathways to IPV reduction can be sustained in different contexts over time.
SELEVER study data
(Data Paper, 2025-02-24) Gelli, Aulo; Becquey, Elodie; Ganaba, Rasmané; Leight, Jessica; Heckert, Jessica; Huybregts, Lieven; Toé, Laetica; Awonon, Josué; Diatta, Ampa Dogui; Diop, Loty; Santacroce, Marco; Pedehombga, Abdoulaye; Hein, Alain; Somé, Henri
The SELEVER study was a cluster randomized controlled trial aiming to evaluate the effects of an inte-grated agriculture–nutrition intervention package (including poultry value chain development, women’s empowerment activities, and a behavior change communications strategy to promote improved diets and feeding, care, and hygiene practices) on the diets, health, and nutritional status of women and chil-dren in rural Burkina Faso (1). Four rounds of data collection were carried out in rural communities of three regions of Burkina Faso: Boucle du Mouhoun, Centre-Ouest and Haut-Bassins between March 2017 and August 2020. The first round (Baseline) took place between March and June 2017 during the post-harvest season in a sam-ple of 1800 households. The second (Follow-up) and third (Follow-up 2) rounds took place during the lean season in 2017 (September-October) and 2019 (September-October) in a subsample of 1080 households. The last survey round (Endline) took place between March and August 2020 (including a break due to covid-19 restrictions).
Metadata schema for the GENNOVATE dataset and ways forward
(Presentation, 2024-12-05) Kruseman, Gideon; Lopez, Diana E.; Muchiri, Caroline; Lecoutere, Els
Introduction Why make qualitative data FAIR? Why make gender data FAIR? GENNOVATE The Process Overview of FAIR, curating data, using OIMS methodology (Open Ontology-Based Interoperable Information Asset Metadata Schema) The GENNOVATE Case Study Snapshot of Outputs Data model Metadata model OIMS metadata files & what to use them for Guidelines for making qualitative data FAIR (GENNOVATE as a case study)
Advancing women's voice and empowerment in the agrifood policy process: Findings and recommendations from the WEAGov India Pilot Study
(Brief, 2025-02-18) Ragasa, Catherine; Kyle, Jordan; Yasmin, Sabina; Pande, Harshita; Basu, Sampurna; Sharma, Aanshi; Najjar, Dina
Women’s equal participation and leadership in political and public life can boost a country’s long-run economic growth, foster social inclusion, and help countries reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Beyond these important outcomes, women’s inclusion in public life is a basic human right: women deserve a role in making decisions, controlling resources, and shaping policies. Yet, globally, only 22 percent of members of parliament and 16 percent of cabinet secretaries are women. Although disproportionately employed in the agrifood system, women lack decision-making power regarding the policies that govern it. And beyond high-level statistics like the share of women in national parliaments, there is a lack of tools for measuring and tracking gender equality in national- and state-level governance (ElDidi et al., 2021; Quisumbing et al., 2023; Ragasa et al., 2022). Yet, achieving meaningful progress on gender equality within governance requires identifying specific gaps and opportunities within a country’s policy process.
Initial research protocol for re-using and re-analysing GENNOVATE data
(Manual, 2024-12-15) Lopez, Diana E.; Rietveld, Anne
To allow re-using the GENNOVATE data for purposes distinct to those from the original research objectives and for re-analysing the GENNOVATE data, an anonymized derived dataset was developed. This includes 108 case studies from 23 GENNOVATE countries. This protocol explains the rationale and methods used for data anonymization. The data curation, anonymization and obfuscation are necessary steps into making GENNOVATE data FAIR. Other steps include data management according to regulations and best practices; and setting up a system that ensures compliance with the highest ethical and legal standards.
Binti Shujaaz
(Extension Material, 2024-07-01) Komba, Lucky; Mpenze, Neema; Mbugua, Narayan; Biamah, Stephan; Deacon, Bridget; Galiè, Alessandra ; Achandi, Esther; Omondi, Immaculate A.; Campbell, Zoë A. ; Jeremiah, Adolf; Jumba, Humphrey; Ngoteya, Godfrey; Kariuki, Eunice; Omore, Amos O.
Binti Shujaaz means “heroine” in Swahili, a fitting name for the young women who are persevering in chicken keeping despite restrictive gender norms in their communities that can limit young women in agri-business. This comic book written in Swahili was distributed in Tanzania in 2024 to support community conversations about norms. The stories were informed by research on social norms conducted by the International Livestock Research Institute.
Guide to developing quantitative tools for measuring gender norms in agrifood systems: IPSR Innovation Package and Scaling Readiness Report
(Report, 2024-12) Buono, Nicoletta; Kitalyi, Aichi; Mwakanyamale, Devis; Msita, Sarah
Working toward this objective, experts in social norms measurement from FHI360, an international development organization based in Washington, DC worked with IFPRI and IITA to co-develop a survey instrument to measure inequitable social and gender norms within cassava, fish, and chicken AgriFood-Systems (AFS). The instrument was developed through an iterative process including extensive stakeholder consultation and cognitive testing, and was piloted in Tanzania and Nigeria with actors operating in or supporting/ influencing the three AFS. The pilot data will be used to develop a counting based, multi-dimensional index measuring inequitable social and gender norms within the three target AFS. The index will be designed to be comparable across AFS, geographical regions, and between actor groups performing different AFS roles. The index can be used to inform the design of gender transformative approaches to address harmful social and gender norms in AFS.
Promoting gender transformative approaches in agrifood systems: The importance of co-design process in fostering individual and organizational changes
(Blog Post, 2024) Adeyeye, Olajumoke; Daramola, Ochuwa Favour
Transforming Agriculture Through Co-Designing: A Path to Gender Equity in Agrifood Systems
(Blog Post, 2024-12) Msita, Sarah; Daramola, Ochuwa Favour
Harvesting Hope: Empowering Farmers to thrive in Kenya Semi-Arid Lands
(Video, 2024-12) Mfalme Afrika Production Ltd
Inequalities in agri-food systems in sub-Saharan Africa stem from unequal decision-making power, limited access to resources, and land ownership disparities. Climate change exacerbates these inequalities, disproportionately affecting women. Existing policies and governance systems have not adequately addressed these challenges. Socio-technical innovation bundles (STIBs) offer a potential solution by addressing climate change while challenging sociocultural norms perpetuating inequalities. The CGIAR Gender Equality Initiative (HER+) collaborated with the CGIAR Diversification in East and Southern Africa to enhance climate resilience and women's empowerment in Kenya through the STIBs approach. Adopting farmer-preferred STIBs, such as decision-making, gender and nutrition, certified seeds, climate-smart practices like intercropping, extension services, and financial access, led to higher productivity, resilience, and empowerment. Key outcomes included: sustained crop performance despite adverse climate conditions, increased household decision-making collaboration due to women’s greater farming knowledge and financial contributions, and improved food security through diversified diets and food accessibility. These results highlight progress toward equitable and resilient agri-food systems.
Transforming Gender Norms in Tanzania: Empowering Women Farmers
(Video, 2025-01-30) CGIAR
Women cassava farmers in Tanzania share their experiences facing restrictive gender norms contributing to development challenges. They highlight issues such as limited access to loans and ownership of agricultural land. Devis Mwakanyamale, Research Associate at IITA Tanzania, explains how the CGIAR Initiative on Gender Equality, HER+ -TRANSFORM work package collaborates with partners to design gender transformative interventions to reduce these normative constraints. Geraldina Mushema from a partner organization provides insights into the co-design process of these interventions and the benefits of the approach.
Capturing the Journey Toward Transformative Impact: An Early Assessment of the West Bengal Learning Labs Under the CGIAR Initiative on Gender Equality
(Report, 2024-12) Jain, H.; Mukhopadhyay, P.; Gartaula, H.N.; Chadha, D.; Nayak, P.K.; Goel, K.; Shivhare, R.; Puskur, Ranjitha
Socio-technical innovation bundles for dietary diversity, women’s empowerment, and climate resilience: Findings from the baseline study
(Report, 2024-12) Jain, Harsha; Gartaula, Hom Nath; Shivhare, Richa; Nayak, Prakash Kumar; Chadha, Deepali; Johri, Yash; Mukhopadhyay, Prama; Goel, Kritika; Dullo, Anandita; Puskur, Ranjitha
The consequences of global climate change on food security are projected to be far-reaching, with complex dynamics varying across locations and timeframes. In many developing regions, climate change exacerbates ecosystem degradation, increases agricultural risks, and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups. Women, in particular, bear the brunt of these challenges due to gender disparities and social inequalities embedded in agrifood systems (UN Women, 2022). To address these challenges, the CGIAR Initiative on Gender Equality (HER+ Initiative) aims to enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable women in food systems across the global south. The Initiative focuses on improving outcomes in areas such as nutrition, health, food security, poverty, livelihoods, gender equality, climate adaptation, environmental health, and biodiversity.
Enabling socio-technical innovation bundles (STIBs) implementation in Ethiopia: a literature review of the policy context
(Report, 2024-12-30) Chakona, G.; Mapedza, Everisto; Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Nchanji, E.; Ketema, D. M.; Gartaula, H. N.; Joshi, Deepa; Puskur, R.
This report provides a comprehensive review of the intersection of agriculture, gender and socio-technical innovation bundles (STIBs) in Ethiopia, with a focus on understanding how policies, strategies and legislation can support the empowerment and resilience of women within the country's agrifood systems. STIBs are a comprehensive approach to tackling multifaceted challenges in agrifood systems by integrating technology with social and cultural innovations. Understanding how the innovations can be embedded into the existing policies within the agricultural sector to empower women and enhance gender equality, including women’s resilience and self-confidence is crucial. Agriculture remains the cornerstone of Ethiopia's economy, contributing 34% to the GDP and employing about 75% of the population. The report explores how aligning STIBs with Ethiopia's national development strategies can support key priority areas such as agricultural productivity, gender equality, food security, climate change adaptation, inclusive economic growth, technological advancement and education and training initiatives.
Focusing on the process of research: Embedding reflexivity for gender-transformative action
(Manual, 2024-10) Lopez, Diana E.; Bailey, Arwen; Osei-Amponsah, Charity; Nchanji, Eileen Bogweh; Cullen, Beth; Debevec, Liza; Ludwig, David; Portocarrero, Ana; Rietveld, Anne; Wong, Franz; Farnworth, Cathy Rozel
AUDIENCE: This document is designed to help gender researchers who want to make the processes of their research more reflexive, critical and gender transformative. GOAL: To support gender researchers in identifying and incorporating intentional reflexivity for transformative action into gender research in food, land, and water systems. This goal’s relevance rises as researchers become more aware and concerned about the potential negative impacts of their research on communities and livelihoods. The document proposes a new gender research standard that could aid researchers to improve their (1) research quality, (2) research relevance, (3) and research accountability in a way that, at worst, does no harm and, at best, supports transformative changes towards greater gender equity and equality.

Browse

Recent Submissions