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The SEAD and SEADWest projects conducted a training on Gender and Social inclusion for the horticulture value chain teams / lecturers from partner institutions

29-07-2020

From 20-24 July in Muhanga district, The SEAD and SEADWest projects conducted a training on Gender and Social inclusion for the horticulture value chain teams / lecturers from partner institutions (UR CAVM, IPRC Huye, IPRC Karongi, TVET Bumba, TVET GISOVU, and EAV KIVUMU.

This training aimed at increasing their knowledge on specific gender and social inclusion aspects within the horticulture value chain. The training also provided them with key gender analysis tools in agriculture that will help them in facilitating gender responsive outreach services to farmers, and promote the adoption of inclusive measures that aim to remove barriers faced by women and people with disabilities practicing agriculture.

Together with a gender expert Eugene Rutabagaya from SNV who facilitated this training where a range of subjects were covered including: Gender concepts and approaches, Gender socialisation and gender stereotypes in agriculture, Gaps, challenges and barriers faced by women and PWDs in horticulture value chain, Introduction to Gender analysis frameworks and GESI integration in value chain segments.

By using the gender analysis tools, during the field visit within a horticulture cooperative at Kamonyi the team assessed the Gender gaps in the cooperative. The farmers revealed that some of the challenges they face are imbalanced gender roles, and unequal decision making at household level.

One of the farmers said; “it is us women who are mostly involved in farming activities than any men. We do take most of the time in the garden than our husbands but when it comes to decision making it is our husbands who dominate”.

A member of the cooperative also said, “I have an account in the bank because I am the one registered in the cooperative but the decision to use and withdraw money is held after the approval from my husband”

As indicated by the participants in the GESI training, they Improved their knowledge and understanding on gender and social inclusion; Increased awareness on barriers faced by women, youth and people with disabilities in horticulture value chain; Increased capacity for gender and social inclusion mainstreaming, including the implementation of special programmes designed to remove barriers faced by males, females, and people with disabilities in horticulture chains; and Understood strategies and measures required for promoting the participation of women and people with disabilities in the horticulture value chain.

“According to my background, no male is supposed to prepare food for the family, even up to now it is forbidden that boys do so. The testimonies I have heard from my colleagues have given me courage to make changes in the way we perceive gender roles” said by Gasasira Steven, trainer at Bumba TVET

“At my home my husband can do everything to support me at home in daily activities. It’s just a matter of agreeing with each other on how we manage our home.” Said by Niyonsaba Leonce , Lecturer at UR CAVM

As a way forward after the training, the team will prepare a demand driven outreach training to the horticulture cooperatives.

Source: SEAD Website

SEAD & SEAD-West
The SEAD-West project managed by MSM under the Nuffic Orange Knowledge Programme is strongly aligned to the running SEAD project under Nuffic NICHE. Where SEAD is focusing on the poultry, dairy, horticulture and potato value chains in the Northern, Eastern and Southern provinces, SEAD-West is contributing to food & nutrition security in Western province of Rwanda.

The projects will build new and strengthen existing partnerships to boost agricultural value chain development and ensures equal opportunities, labor market relevance and strengthening management of the chain actors for sustainability.

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