Event (DC): The Hidden Role of Gender in Food Security & Value Chain Development

Society for International Development Gender in Development Workgroup

When: Friday, April 22, 2011, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m Where: The National Press Club, Holeman Lounge, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Please join the SID-Washington Gender in Development Workgroup for a panel discussion on “The Hidden Role of Gender in Food Security & Value Chain Development.” Investing in agricultural development has long been recognized as one of the best ways to reduce poverty in the long term, whether the goal is to feed individual families or to help economies grow.  In addition, research has shown that women in developing countries carry out much of the work with agricultural crops and production.  Women are also more likely to use income from these activities for food, healthcare and education for their children, helping lift entire communities out of poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth. This panel will focus on successful value chain strategies, particularly those involving women, to boost income and achieve food security.  Specific interventions, success stories and private sector alliances will be discussed in the context of capacity building, access to markets, quality standards and post-harvest handling. Presenters: Florie Liser, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Executive Office of the President Emmanuela Mashayo, Project Coordinator, Purchase for Progress (P4P), World Food Program, Rwanda Kathleen Vickland, Director, Latin America and the Caribbean, CARANA Corporation Lindsey Jones, Specialist, Monitoring, Evaluation and Gender, ACDI/VOCA Moderator:   Amanda Hilligas, Senior Manager, CARANA Corporation *Light lunch will be provided by The QED Group, LLC. This event is also sponsored in part by CARANA Corporation. For more information about the Gender in Development Workgroup, please visit the Ning site. Please RSVP by Monday, April 19th as capacity for this event is limited. https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/view/logout.do?hidOrgID=wdcsid

Resource: Improving Opportunities for Women in Smallholder-based Supply Chains

Recent research commissioned by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation shows that by increasing women’s participation in smallholder sourcing and support programs, many international food companies can improve crop productivity and quality, grow the smallholder supply base, and improve access to high-value markets. The guide Improving Opportunities for Women in Smallholder-based Supply Chains: Business case and practical guidance for international food companies presents the results of this research in a practical format. It sets out the business case arguments and evidence for increasing women’s participation, and provides practical guidance and case studies about what companies can do to realize these benefits. This summary distills the key business case arguments and recommendations for action, and points the reader to relevant sections of the full guide for further guidance.

Access it here

 

Event: ILRI Workshop on Gender & Market-Oriented Agriculture–Research to practice

An ILRI workshop on Gender and Market-oriented Agriculture is scheduled from January 31st to February 2nd in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The workshop’s objectives are:

1)To bring together researchers, practitioners, private sector and donors that have been working on efforts to promote market oriented agriculture in which gender is an integral component, to share lessons

2) To synthesize lessons on what works in integrating gender and promoting women to participate in and benefit from agricultural markets

3) To collate empirical evidence of the poverty, equity, food security and nutritional impacts of market-oriented agriculture

4) To begin to build a new paradigm for market-oriented research and funding that serves the interests of women

More information.

Deadline for registration: November 15, 2010

Publication: Gender & Value Chains

The overall purpose of this study is to examine which gender issues are important when and where in value chains – based on findings of existing evaluations complemented by other relevant studies. The focus in this report is on development interventions that explicitly or implicitly employ a value chain approach. Coverage is not limited to interventions targeting only women, but will also include evaluations and lessons learned from more generic value chain interventions insofar as they address or reflect upon gender issues.

http://www.um.dk/NR/rdonlyres/38F5DACC-401A-4CDB-B906-F7D1E56E882D/0/GenderandValueChainDevelopmentfinalwww.pdf  

CALL FOR CASES: Gender in Value Chains (Nairobi)

The Agri-ProFocus network is organizing a writeshop to systematize knowledge and experiences around gender in value chains. This writeshop – facilitated by KIT and IIRR and financially supported by ICCO, HIVOS, Cordaid and Oxfam Novib – will be held from 22 – 30 November 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya. The outcomes will be published in a practical book. More information.

Deadline: September 1, 2010