Gender & Agriculture
KIT Royal Tropical Institute combines expertise in gender and agriculture to address gender-based inequalities in the agricultural sector. We look specifically at the men and women ‘left behind’ in agricultural development research, policy and practice. Capacity building is integral to our approach to gender equality.
In collaboration with ICARDA, I am conducting research on gendered opportunities and challenges for innovation in the forage value chain in Afghanistan. The research investigates how gender norms, roles and relations shape women farmers’ agency and autonomy as innovators. Findings from the research will be used to identify ways of narrowing the persistent “gender gap” in Afghanistan’s agriculture. This is an example of how KIT’s gender/agriculture work contributes to SDG 5 and 2.
Yngve Braaten, Former Junior Advisor at KIT on Gender and Agriculture
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HortiNigeria
Nigeria is currently unable to meet the local demand for vegetables, with a supply gap of around 13 million metric tons. The HortiNigeria programme aims narrow this gap by transforming and accelerating the development of a sustainable and inclusive horticulture sector that contributes to food and nutrition security in rural communities and alleviates poverty.
Read more about HortiNigeria -
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Applying a Gender Lens to Cocoa Cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire
Women living in cocoa growing communities in Côte d’Ivoire are disproportionately excluded from participating in cooperatives or benefiting from them. To address this gender inequality, a gender lens was applied to Rabo Partnership and Barry Callebaut’s ‘Empowering the Middle Program’. Specific entry points and activities were designed to promote women’s inclusion and elevate their status in cooperatives, and enhance their benefit from cooperatives, including through gender sensitive financial service provision to cooperative members.
Read more about Applying a Gender Lens to Cocoa Cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire -
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Gender in Coffee and Cocoa Initiative
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The “Gender Model Family” Approach, Women’s Empowerment & Nutrition
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Gender Integration in CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish
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Gender Synthesis of Canadian International Food Security Research Fund Projects
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CGIAR Collaborative Platform for Gender Research
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Gender Integration Capacity Building with WorldFish
We bring a gender lens to agriculture
We assist agricultural research institutes, international and non-governmental organizations, and governments to integrate gender equity into their agricultural programmes and facilitate transformative change.
Our international team of advisors specialises in applying a gender lens to agriculture – a unique blend of gender expertise that is specific to the agricultural sector and related fields, including aquaculture, livestock, natural resource management, climate change, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
Our primary aim is to explore and articulate gender equality as a goal within agricultural initiatives (e.g. agricultural research and practice) and to support organisations and institutes in the agricultural sector by developing and strengthening gender equity (as a process leading towards equality) in their agricultural development programmes and projects.
Reaching gender objectives
We support our partners in reaching gender objectives in agricultural and natural resource management sectors, supporting and challenging their Theories of Change and enriching their understanding of the dynamic relationship between gender and agriculture. Our approach is tailored, agile, and encourages our partners to critically reflect upon the state of gender equality in their work, including methods to improve and advance gender equality in their policies and agricultural development strategies.
Specifically, we support gender in agricultural programmes and projects through:
- Coordination of an international network of gender researchers in the domains of aquaculture, agriculture and natural resource management
- Action research and applied research in collaboration with partners
- Coaching, mentoring & capacity development
- Management support
- Gender training, audits, coaching and research support
- Evaluations, monitoring evaluation and learning systems & reviews
CGIAR Collaborative Platform for Gender Research
For example, KIT coordinates the CGIAR Collaborative Platform for Gender Research, which aims to increase the visibility and impact of gender research undertaken across CGIAR. The Platform supports priority setting for gender research, strategic partnerships, capacity development, and collaboration between and among CGIAR programs, centers, and partners, building on the work of system-wide gender network established in 2011. CGIAR is a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food-secured future.
Our services
Applied research
KIT Royal Tropical Institute addresses development challenges at local, regional and global levels through research that generates new insights and knowledge in our areas of expertise: health, sustainable economic development and gender.
Knowledge Management
Development and research organisations are often so focused on achieving their objectives that they find it difficult to create the time to look back, analyse and learn from what they experienced and share their results.
More about Knowledge ManagementEducation, training and coaching
There is probably no better contribution towards sustainable development than investing in people and building capacities at all levels. KIT Royal Tropical Institute plays a major role in this by offering a range of education and capacity building services, from formal education at masters level to client-oriented training and coaching support. Our training and coaching programmes are tailor-made to address the unique objectives and capacities of the requesting organisation.
More about Education, training and coachingInternational knowledge networks and platforms
In an increasingly globalised and complex world, international learning, communication and collaboration around global development challenges are major avenues for realising impact. Rapid developments in Information & Communication Technology are opening new opportunities for international networking and learning.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact Assessment
Monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment are powerful tools to assess health, social, and economic impact. They allow us to learn what works and why. Our expertise and track record in these areas make us well-equipped to evaluate your work.
More about Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact AssessmentPartners
