Amplifying Outcomes by Addressing Inequality: The Role of Gender-transformative Approaches in Agricultural Research for Development

Abstract

Increasing agreement on the relevance of gender and social equalities to agricultural development outcomes has not come with the same consensus within the development community regarding ways to intervene in the sector to foster equality. The guiding principles of agriculture research for development (AR4D) and its focus on capacity development can contribute to this debate and to advancing gender integration in the sector if the “social threads” within its principles are developed more thoroughly. The aim of the article is to articulate how the social dimension of AR4D could be further developed through the conceptualization and operationalization of gender-transformative approaches (GTAs). The article provides a case study from the aquaculture sector of Bangladesh to illustrate why this is needed, and it describes some ways forward to move GTAs into agricultural practice and test their contributions to development outcomes. Such an action research agenda will generate learning that can be used to make the most out of synergies between enhanced social equality and capacities to innovate.

Gendered mobilities and immobilities: Women’s and men’s capacities for agricultural innovation in Kenya and Nigeria

“…Based on the findings we emphasize that researchers and development practitioners should recognize that mobilities strongly condition women's and men's access to agricultural information and services. This finding supports the use of a social relations perspective in agricultural research and practice to inform the design of (technical) interventions (Hillenbrand 2015;Kantor 2013;Kantor et al 2015;Okali 2012). Gender transformative approaches (GTA), which recognize gender as part of how society works and build on collaborative learning, reflection, questioning and action with women, men and communities, are needed (Hillenbrand et al 2015;Kantor et al 2015).…”

Addressing gender in agricultural research for development in the face of a changing climate: where are we and where should we be going?

“…Research has answered many of the key 'what' questions, at least for one point in time, through analysis of quantitative surveys. The findings raise new questions about how to develop policies and programs based on this information, but also point to the need for more investment in 'gender-transformative' approaches (Kantor, Morgan, & Choudhury, 2015). Gender-transformative approaches examine, question, and influence gender norms and power imbalances, through an enhanced awareness among men and women of gender roles, enhancing the position of women and changing the distribution of resources and roles played by men and women (Morgan, 2014).…”

Building resilience by challenging social norms: integrating a transformative approach within the BRACED consortia

“…This is a long-term and ambitious endeavour, and one that exceeds the scope and timeline of BRACED. There is not one model to resolve gender inequity but many, depending on the norms of each particular society (Kantor et al, 2015). Centrally important to the achievement of gender-transformative approaches is attention to the context shaping the gendered power hierarchies; this is equally important to resilience-building and a crucial point of the BRACED projects.…”

“…Centrally important to the achievement of gender-transformative approaches is attention to the context shaping the gendered power hierarchies; this is equally important to resilience-building and a crucial point of the BRACED projects. There is not one model to resolve gender inequity but many, depending on the norms of each particular society (Kantor et al, 2015). It is also critical that these processes include both women and men.…”