Gender mainstreaming in value chain development: Experience with Gender Action Learning System in Uganda
There is an emerging consensus that promoting gender justice in value chain development is not only a rights issue for women, but makes ‘business sense’ for households, enterprises, and ultimately the national economy. This article discusses experiences using a community-led methodology, Gender Action Learning System (GALS), with producers and traders of coffee, maize, fruits (avocados, pineapples, and passion fruit), and beans in Kasese District, Western Uganda. This community-led value chain development methodology has brought about profound changes for significant numbers of people in a relatively short period of time, on sensitive and potentially conflictual issues such as gender-based violence and land ownership as well as decision-making, division of labour, and women's access to health and education. These changes have taken place with the full support of many men who have become enthusiastic promoters of gender equality as part of their own vision of happiness and social justice. Addressing gender inequalities at all levels of the chain forms a ‘win-win strategy’ which has increased incomes and contributed to upgrading whole value chains and developing the local economy.Bolwig, S. and Odeke, M. (2007) Household Food Security Effects of Certified Organic Export Production in Tropical Africa, Epopa, Netherlands. Available at: www.grolink.se/epopa/Publications/EPOPA%20Report%20on%20Food%20Security%20impact%20of%20organic%20production.pdf [accessed 23 October 2012]. www.grolink.se/epopa/Publications/EPOPA%20Report%20on%20Food%20Security%20impact%20of%20organic%20production.pdf
Farnworth, C.R. (2012) Household Approaches Synthesis Paper, Rome: IFAD.
Farnworth, C.R. and Akamandisa, V. (2011) Report on Gender Action Learning System (GALS) Approach to Value Chain Development in Bukonzo Joint in Uganda, for Oxfam Novib and GIZ.
Farnworth, C. and Ragasa, C. (2008) Gender and Agricultural Markets Gender in Agriculture Sourcebook, Washington, DC: World Bank, FAO and IFAD: 173-256.
KIT, Faida MaLi, IRRI and Peppelenbos, L. (eds) (2006) Chain Empowerment: Supporting African Farmers to Develop Markets, Amsterdam: Royal Tropical Institute; Arusha: Faida Market Link; Nairobi: International Institute of Reconstruction.
Mayoux, L. (2006) ‘Road to the foot of the mountain: but reaching for the sun: PALS adventures and challenges’, in K. Brock and J. Pettit (eds), Springs of Participation: Creating and Evolving Methods for Participatory Development, Practical Action Publishing, Rugby.
Mayoux, L. (2012a) Designing a GALS Action and Advocacy Learning System, The Hague: Oxfam Novib.
Mayoux, L. (2012b) ‘Rocky road to diamond dreams: GALS Stage 1 community design process and participatory review’ [website] <www.wemanresources.info≯. www.wemanresources.info
Mayoux, L. (forthcoming) Equal and Together: GALS Overview Manual, Rome: IFAD.
Mayoux, L. and Mackie, G. (2009) Making the Strongest Links: A Practical Guide to Gender Analysis in Value Chain Development, Geneva: ILO.
Mayoux, L., Baluku, P., Biira, J. and Reemer, T. (2011) Growing the Diamond Forest: Community-led Action Learning for Gender Justice in Wealth Creation, Gender Action Learning System Manual 3, The Hague: Oxfam Novib.
Melendez, F.V. (2008) Cafe Feminino: Experiencias de mujeres emprendedoras, San Juan, Peru: Centro de Investigacion Capacitacion Asesoria y Promocion (CICAP).
Reemer, T. and Oxfam Novib (2011) Gender Justice in Pro-poor Value Chain Development, Final report, IFAD small grant R1161 (June 2009-June 2011).
Solidaridad (2009) The Role of Certification and Producer Support in Promoting Gender Equality in Cocoa Production, Solidaridad and Oxfam Novib.
WEMAN (no date) ‘Making Gender FUN’ [website] <www.wemanresources.info/5_MakingGenderFun/5_0_MakingGenderFun.html≯ [accessed 18 October 2012]. www.wemanresources.info/5_MakingGenderFun/5_0_MakingGenderFun.html
Bolwig, S. and Odeke, M. (2007) Household Food Security Effects of Certified Organic Export Production in Tropical Africa, Epopa, Netherlands. Available at: www.grolink.se/epopa/Publications/EPOPA%20Report%20on%20Food%20Security%20impact%20of%20organic%20production.pdf [accessed 23 October 2012]. www.grolink.se/epopa/Publications/EPOPA%20Report%20on%20Food%20Security%20impact%20of%20organic%20production.pdf
Farnworth, C.R. (2012) Household Approaches Synthesis Paper, Rome: IFAD.
Farnworth, C.R. and Akamandisa, V. (2011) Report on Gender Action Learning System (GALS) Approach to Value Chain Development in Bukonzo Joint in Uganda, for Oxfam Novib and GIZ.
Farnworth, C. and Ragasa, C. (2008) Gender and Agricultural Markets Gender in Agriculture Sourcebook, Washington, DC: World Bank, FAO and IFAD: 173-256.
KIT, Faida MaLi, IRRI and Peppelenbos, L. (eds) (2006) Chain Empowerment: Supporting African Farmers to Develop Markets, Amsterdam: Royal Tropical Institute; Arusha: Faida Market Link; Nairobi: International Institute of Reconstruction.
Mayoux, L. (2006) ‘Road to the foot of the mountain: but reaching for the sun: PALS adventures and challenges’, in K. Brock and J. Pettit (eds), Springs of Participation: Creating and Evolving Methods for Participatory Development, Practical Action Publishing, Rugby.
Mayoux, L. (2012a) Designing a GALS Action and Advocacy Learning System, The Hague: Oxfam Novib.
Mayoux, L. (2012b) ‘Rocky road to diamond dreams: GALS Stage 1 community design process and participatory review’ [website] <www.wemanresources.info≯. www.wemanresources.info
Mayoux, L. (forthcoming) Equal and Together: GALS Overview Manual, Rome: IFAD.
Mayoux, L. and Mackie, G. (2009) Making the Strongest Links: A Practical Guide to Gender Analysis in Value Chain Development, Geneva: ILO.
Mayoux, L., Baluku, P., Biira, J. and Reemer, T. (2011) Growing the Diamond Forest: Community-led Action Learning for Gender Justice in Wealth Creation, Gender Action Learning System Manual 3, The Hague: Oxfam Novib.
Melendez, F.V. (2008) Cafe Feminino: Experiencias de mujeres emprendedoras, San Juan, Peru: Centro de Investigacion Capacitacion Asesoria y Promocion (CICAP).
Reemer, T. and Oxfam Novib (2011) Gender Justice in Pro-poor Value Chain Development, Final report, IFAD small grant R1161 (June 2009-June 2011).
Solidaridad (2009) The Role of Certification and Producer Support in Promoting Gender Equality in Cocoa Production, Solidaridad and Oxfam Novib.
WEMAN (no date) ‘Making Gender FUN’ [website] <www.wemanresources.info/5_MakingGenderFun/5_0_MakingGenderFun.html≯ [accessed 18 October 2012]. www.wemanresources.info/5_MakingGenderFun/5_0_MakingGenderFun.html
Bolwig, S. and Odeke, M. (2007) Household Food Security Effects of Certified Organic Export Production in Tropical Africa, Epopa, Netherlands. Available at: www.grolink.se/epopa/Publications/EPOPA%20Report%20on%20Food%20Security%20impact%20of%20organic%20production.pdf [accessed 23 October 2012]. www.grolink.se/epopa/Publications/EPOPA%20Report%20on%20Food%20Security%20impact%20of%20organic%20production.pdf
Farnworth, C.R. (2012) Household Approaches Synthesis Paper, Rome: IFAD.
Farnworth, C.R. and Akamandisa, V. (2011) Report on Gender Action Learning System (GALS) Approach to Value Chain Development in Bukonzo Joint in Uganda, for Oxfam Novib and GIZ.
Farnworth, C. and Ragasa, C. (2008) Gender and Agricultural Markets Gender in Agriculture Sourcebook, Washington, DC: World Bank, FAO and IFAD: 173-256.
KIT, Faida MaLi, IRRI and Peppelenbos, L. (eds) (2006) Chain Empowerment: Supporting African Farmers to Develop Markets, Amsterdam: Royal Tropical Institute; Arusha: Faida Market Link; Nairobi: International Institute of Reconstruction.
Mayoux, L. (2006) ‘Road to the foot of the mountain: but reaching for the sun: PALS adventures and challenges’, in K. Brock and J. Pettit (eds), Springs of Participation: Creating and Evolving Methods for Participatory Development, Practical Action Publishing, Rugby.
Mayoux, L. (2012a) Designing a GALS Action and Advocacy Learning System, The Hague: Oxfam Novib.
Mayoux, L. (2012b) ‘Rocky road to diamond dreams: GALS Stage 1 community design process and participatory review’ [website] <www.wemanresources.info≯. www.wemanresources.info
Mayoux, L. (forthcoming) Equal and Together: GALS Overview Manual, Rome: IFAD.
Mayoux, L. and Mackie, G. (2009) Making the Strongest Links: A Practical Guide to Gender Analysis in Value Chain Development, Geneva: ILO.
Mayoux, L., Baluku, P., Biira, J. and Reemer, T. (2011) Growing the Diamond Forest: Community-led Action Learning for Gender Justice in Wealth Creation, Gender Action Learning System Manual 3, The Hague: Oxfam Novib.
Melendez, F.V. (2008) Cafe Feminino: Experiencias de mujeres emprendedoras, San Juan, Peru: Centro de Investigacion Capacitacion Asesoria y Promocion (CICAP).
Reemer, T. and Oxfam Novib (2011) Gender Justice in Pro-poor Value Chain Development, Final report, IFAD small grant R1161 (June 2009-June 2011).
Solidaridad (2009) The Role of Certification and Producer Support in Promoting Gender Equality in Cocoa Production, Solidaridad and Oxfam Novib.
WEMAN (no date) ‘Making Gender FUN’ [website] <www.wemanresources.info/5_MakingGenderFun/5_0_MakingGenderFun.html≯ [accessed 18 October 2012]. www.wemanresources.info/5_MakingGenderFun/5_0_MakingGenderFun.html
Bolwig, S. and Odeke, M. (2007) Household Food Security Effects of Certified Organic Export Production in Tropical Africa, Epopa, Netherlands. Available at: www.grolink.se/epopa/Publications/EPOPA%20Report%20on%20Food%20Security%20impact%20of%20organic%20production.pdf [accessed 23 October 2012]. www.grolink.se/epopa/Publications/EPOPA%20Report%20on%20Food%20Security%20impact%20of%20organic%20production.pdf
Farnworth, C.R. (2012) Household Approaches Synthesis Paper, Rome: IFAD.
Farnworth, C.R. and Akamandisa, V. (2011) Report on Gender Action Learning System (GALS) Approach to Value Chain Development in Bukonzo Joint in Uganda, for Oxfam Novib and GIZ.
Farnworth, C. and Ragasa, C. (2008) Gender and Agricultural Markets Gender in Agriculture Sourcebook, Washington, DC: World Bank, FAO and IFAD: 173-256.
KIT, Faida MaLi, IRRI and Peppelenbos, L. (eds) (2006) Chain Empowerment: Supporting African Farmers to Develop Markets, Amsterdam: Royal Tropical Institute; Arusha: Faida Market Link; Nairobi: International Institute of Reconstruction.
Mayoux, L. (2006) ‘Road to the foot of the mountain: but reaching for the sun: PALS adventures and challenges’, in K. Brock and J. Pettit (eds), Springs of Participation: Creating and Evolving Methods for Participatory Development, Practical Action Publishing, Rugby.
Mayoux, L. (2012a) Designing a GALS Action and Advocacy Learning System, The Hague: Oxfam Novib.
Mayoux, L. (2012b) ‘Rocky road to diamond dreams: GALS Stage 1 community design process and participatory review’ [website] <www.wemanresources.info≯. www.wemanresources.info
Mayoux, L. (forthcoming) Equal and Together: GALS Overview Manual, Rome: IFAD.
Mayoux, L. and Mackie, G. (2009) Making the Strongest Links: A Practical Guide to Gender Analysis in Value Chain Development, Geneva: ILO.
Mayoux, L., Baluku, P., Biira, J. and Reemer, T. (2011) Growing the Diamond Forest: Community-led Action Learning for Gender Justice in Wealth Creation, Gender Action Learning System Manual 3, The Hague: Oxfam Novib.
Melendez, F.V. (2008) Cafe Feminino: Experiencias de mujeres emprendedoras, San Juan, Peru: Centro de Investigacion Capacitacion Asesoria y Promocion (CICAP).
Reemer, T. and Oxfam Novib (2011) Gender Justice in Pro-poor Value Chain Development, Final report, IFAD small grant R1161 (June 2009-June 2011).
Solidaridad (2009) The Role of Certification and Producer Support in Promoting Gender Equality in Cocoa Production, Solidaridad and Oxfam Novib.
WEMAN (no date) ‘Making Gender FUN’ [website] <www.wemanresources.info/5_MakingGenderFun/5_0_MakingGenderFun.html≯ [accessed 18 October 2012]. www.wemanresources.info/5_MakingGenderFun/5_0_MakingGenderFun.html
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