Integrating Gender in Food Security Programming: The Feed the Future Initiative
1 like1,575 views
The document outlines the Feed the Future initiative by the U.S. government, aimed at combating global hunger through inclusive agricultural growth and women's empowerment. It emphasizes the importance of integrating gender considerations in food security programming and highlights successful case studies, including training programs and community projects that support women's roles in agriculture. The document also shares lessons learned regarding the need for capacity-building and sustainable practices in addressing gender-related challenges.
Integrating Gender in Food Security Programming: The Feed the Future Initiative
- 1. Integrating Gender in Food Security Programming: The Feed the Future Initiative Sylvia Cabus USAID/Bureau for Food Security November 2011
- 2. the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative “...the United States is leading an effort to reach out to people around the world who are suffering, to provide them immediate assistance and to extend support for food security that will help them lift themselves out of poverty. All of us must join together in this effort, not just because it is right, but because by providing assistance to those countries most in need, we will provide new markets, we will drive the growth of the future that lifts all of us up.” President Barack Obama 2
- 3. About Feed the Future Feed the Future pursues two paths: • Addressing the root causes of hunger that limit the potential of millions of people; and • Establishing a lasting foundation for change by aligning our resources with country-owned strategies and supporting local capacity. Key Objectives • Inclusive Agriculture Sector Growth • Improve Nutritional Status Cross cutting Priorities • Global Research and Innovation • Gender • Natural Resources/Climate Consideration 3
- 4. Gender in FTF Evidence-based responses (SOFA 2011, etc.) Policies and programs make a difference • Good agricultural policy must consider gender differences • Ensure equality for women under the law • Invest in the human capital of women and girls • Address the multiple constraints of women in agriculture holistically • Provide public services and technologies to free up women’s time 4
- 5. • ADS Guidelines – USAID regulations • Policy Task Team to develop new policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (Fall 2011) Gender Integration at USAID 5
- 6. Successes and Best Practices Measuring Feed the Future’s Gender Impact and the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index • Women’s role in household decision-making around agricultural production • Women’s access to productive capital • Women’s income • Women’s leadership roles within the community • Women’s labor time allocations 6
- 7. Successes and Best Practices Leadership: African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) • Two-year fellowships • Fellows increase their contributions to the fight against hunger and poverty in sub- Saharan Africa • Mentoring relationships 7
- 8. Successes and Best Practices Nutrition: USAID and HKI/Nepal • Improved techniques for homestead production of micronutrient-rich vegetables and poultry together with optimal infant, young child and maternal nutrition practices for over 13,000 HH • Mothers produce nutritious foods for their families and many have overcome traditional beliefs that eggs are dirty and cause diarrhea in children 8
- 9. Successes and Best Practices Policy: USAID and Catholic Relief Services/Mali • Creation of savings and lending groups • Women members borrow from their savings fund to conduct small income-generating activities such as peanut or millet production • Both men and women members receive training in functional literacy, microenterprise development, management, marketing, health, and nutrition 9
- 10. Successes and Best Practices Technology and Innovation: USAID and CGIAR/Zambia • Addresses constraints faced by women farmers, offering extension services and training to women’s groups, schools, and community health systems • In 2010, almost half of those who attended USAID-supported rural fairs were women 10
- 11. Successes and Best Practices Promoting Innovation and Scale-up • “Innovations in Gender Equality to Promote Household Food Security” • Funding opportunity • Gender equality and women’s empowerment in the agriculture sector 11
- 12. Lessons Learned • Guidance reinforced by training, awareness • Anticipate/expect external issues • Implementing partners need as much (or more) support/guidance than mission • Identify/support gender focal points capacity-building • Integrating gender from outset AND identifying opportunities at different stages of project cycle • Back up technical support with human and financial resources • Reinforce links with nutrition, climate change, land tenure, and other important themes • Availability of resources in different formats, languages Stay tuned…. 12
- 13. Thank you!