Integrating Gender in Agricultural Programs

Yesterday I attended USAID’s final session of their 2009 Summer Seminar series: Integrating Gender in Agricultural Programs. A USAID Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau of Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade, kicked off the morning by emphasizing USAID’s goal of sustainable, gender equitable agricultural growth.

A representative of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) stressed that reducing poverty in Southeast Asia and Africa is impossible without addressing gender issues. She recommended increasing women’s representation in agricultural extension staff, reaching more women through farmer field schools, and integrating gender in needs assessments. Her IFPRI collegue presented her findings on women in higher education in Africa. She noted that although the gender gap in professional staff is narrowing worldwide, the gap remains significantly large in francophone West Africa.

A representative from the Gates Foundation discussed the foundation’s paradigm shift to focus on gender responsive programming away from specific gender targeting; and noted the importance of data, money, technology, and time to focus on gender.

An agricultural economist at the World Bank, also stressed the importance of data and said that the successful integration of gender includes high level political support, resources, and technical guidance and expertise. Significant support for gender-responsive programming exists at the highest levels at the World Bank; and the World Bank plans on doubling investment in agriculture within the next few years. These programs will be built with the following objectives in mind: integrating gender into project design; capacity building; youth; demand driven response; and partnerships.

The final speaker emphasized USAID’s commitment to explicitly focusing on women and including women in the project design/development initiatives. He stressed that hunger will never be reduced if women are not included. A staffer from the Office of Global Women's Issues commented at the close of the seminar, stressing Secretary Clinton and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer's commitment to addressing gender.