This document provides a summary of a workshop on gender transformative pathways within the context of IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) operations. It outlines the purpose of the workshop, the methodologies used, and the key insights and conclusions drawn. This report is valuable for individuals and organizations working on gender equality and women’s empowerment within agricultural and rural development contexts, offering a framework for understanding and promoting transformative change.
Key Insights
Learning About Transformative Gender Practices
Transformative IFAD operations can be at design, implementation, and completion in terms of promoting gender equality. The level of transformation can be measured with the IFAD gender marker, with six being the highest ranking of gender transformative approaches which go beyond gender mainstreaming (which addresses the symptoms of gender inequality) to challenge and transform the underlying social norms, attitudes, behaviors and social systems which cause gender inequalities.
Learning the Theory of Change Framework
IOE (Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD) presented the framework developed for the evaluation synthesis on GEWE (gender equality and women’s empowerment) practices. The main goal was to understand: how can GEWE practices be linked to outcomes and longer term changes and impact? What evidence and knowledge do we have about those links? What are the key assumptions and factors that enable or hinder GEWE results and long term transformative changes? Where are the gaps in terms of focus and knowledge?
Developing Thematic Theories of Change
Thematic groups were formed and co-facilitated by IOE and PTA lead specialists on natural resource management, agricultural and livestock production and technologies, access to markets, value chain development and enterprise development, rural financial services and producer organizations and rural institutions. The aim was to identify pathways of change in typical IFAD interventions by using a case studies and group discussions.
Key Statistics & Data
- More than 90% of IFAD operations are rated at 4 and 5 using the gender marker.
- Only between 5% and 15% of operations reach the score of 6, the score for gender transformative approaches.
Methodology
The workshop was jointly organized and delivered by the Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD (IOE) and the Policy and Technical Advisory Division (PTA). The methodology included:
- Presentations on transformative gender practices.
- Presentation of the Theory of Change framework.
- Thematic group discussions using case studies.
- Plenary discussions and drafting of follow-up actions.
The following case studies were used for mapping out: (i) actions at different levels of engagement (at individual, household, group and/or community level); (ii) short term results and long term changes; (iii) sequences of actions and results, the causal linkages and feedback loops; (iv) supporting actions, contributing factors and assumptions; (v) and gaps in knowledge.
- Case study 1 on home gardens and crop production
- Brazil: Rural Development Projects in the Poorest Areas (PPA)
- Case study 2 on cooperatives/SACCOs and rural finance
- Uganda: Area-based Agricultural Modernization Programme
- Case study 3 on land tenure and natural resource management
- Vietnam : Rural Income Diversification Project in Tuyen Quang Province (RIDP)
- Case study 4 on technologies and equipment
- India: Livelihoods Improvement Project in Himalayas
- Case study 5 on organization/community development
- Yemen: Al Mahara Rural Development Project (AMRDP), Dhamar Participatory Rural Development Project (DPRDP)
- Case study 6 on livestock and pastoralism
- Senegal: Agricultural Development Project in Matam (PRODAM)
Implications and Conclusions
The workshop provided a space for joint evaluation by IOE and PTA on how IFAD is making a difference in terms of GEWE. The joint workshop helped to take stock and learn from past experiences on how IFAD operates and identify the main challenges and gaps preventing gender transformative changes.
Gender transformative changes - that go beyond addressing the symptoms of gender inequality to tackling the underlying causes - include:
- Changes in awareness, consciousness and confidence
- Improved (and lasting) access to resources and opportunities
- Changes in values, norms and practices
- Enabling policies, laws and institutions
Possible pathways towards gender transformative change were identified in the group discussions. At design stage, highlights were on the importance of: demand analysis, participatory assessment of context and needs, budget for gender activities, integration of household methodologies, integration of health/maternal and nutrition issues, gender empowerment interventions (households, groups and communities) and targeted measures for women. During implementation phase, IFAD operations could invest in: validation of gender and targeting strategy with beneficiaries, active participation of women in community planning, gender-sensitive training and technical training for service providers, and choosing technologies with voices of women.
Specific knowledge needs to be generated on: women’s self-confidence, strengthening of women’s power, health, food security and nutrition, gender-based violence, reduction of work load, improved dynamics between men and women but also on strengths/weaknesses of previous projects. Baseline and initial conditions are known. IFAD develops a clear understanding of what empowerment means.
Key assumptions identified for the different intervention themes include that: communities are sufficiently mobilized to raise gender awareness, men are sensitized and fully engaged, mitigation measures are taken to address risks, environmental and contextual dimensions are well addressed, M&E is generating knowledge and gender disaggregated data, policy and enabling frameworks are existing, social and gender perceptions are changing, markets, technologies, business services and infrastructures are accessible, better use of incomes and increased production (such as protein-rich food and household assets).
Main gaps were identified in most of case studies including: demand analysis of beneficiaries; identification of women leaders and champions to drive change; interventions to empower women and gender-sensitive activities such as technical trainings without provision of baby care services; household methodologies not applied impeding improved dynamics between men and women or better distribution of work; reduced gender-based violence; integration of health, food security and nutrition issues to ensure family well-being is improved; availability, knowledge and skills of service providers to deal with gender issues; limited outreach and low performance of beneficiaries; and impact of advocacy and lobbying.
Impacts. If all gaps and assumptions are well addressed, impacts on gender equality and women’s empowerment will comprise: a recognition of women as agents of change and leaders in agriculture, stereotypes of women in the communities removed; increased food and nutrition security for all household members; a sustainable use of resources with no more gender-based discrimination in their access and control; a change in power relations within local elite, men and women; increased income and savings; improved health, education for children and access to safe water and sanitation; equitable sharing of benefits and economic empowerment of women; sustainable changes in roles and relations; and social capital strengthened.
Gender equality and Sustainable changes in gender roles and relations will be the ultimate goals of a gender transformative pathway. There is public recognition of women. Family well-being has improved with balanced workloads.
“Gender transformative change and processes of empowerment are ultimately about transforming unequal power relations, the structures and norms (both visible and invisible) that uphold them.”
Key Points
- IFAD's operations are largely rated at level 4 or 5 on the gender marker, indicating attention to gender, but only a small percentage reach level 6, which represents gender transformative approaches.
- Past experiences provide a foundation for developing a theory of change that examines project activities in context, identifies strategies for GEWE, documents results, and notes key assumptions.
- The workshop utilized case studies to identify actions empowering women, address gender inequality, and highlight aspects needing more attention.
- Specific knowledge gaps identified include the need for better understanding of women's self-confidence, power, health, gender-based violence, and the dynamics between men and women.
- Key assumptions for successful interventions include community mobilization, men's engagement, risk mitigation, and the existence of enabling policies and frameworks.
- Main gaps in case studies include demand analysis, identifying women leaders, and providing gender-sensitive activities with necessary support.