01.01.2024
Male champions for gender equality
Problem & Solution
Before the intervention, gender gaps existed between men and women in access and control of land, production resources and food security. Few women held leadership positions and women were generally excluded from key decision-making processes such as those pertaining to land. Gender roles rendered women as providers of farm labour, confined them to subsistence production and restricted their involvement in income generating enterprises. Men on the other hand were regarded as the sellers of produce in the markets, hence income from assets was largely controlled by the men.
The solution was using male champions to advocate for gender equality and equity, explain gender concepts, mobilize for gender trainings, and minimize the persistence and impact of harmful ideas like toxic masculinity.
The experience
The Gender Analysis conducted at YARD (supported by UWONET- a lighthouse organization) highlighted key gender gaps and propelled the subsequent actions.
YARD drafted an action plan to conduct gender and human rights training in farmer associations, using the Gender Action Learning Systems (GALS) methodology which uses the principles of inclusion to improve income, food and nutrition security of vulnerable people in a gender-equitable way.
Male champions were selected by the association members according to their level of gender sensitivity and understanding of gender and human rights.
Challenges
- Initially mobilizing men was a challenge, hence women in the association were urged to invite their husbands to gender trainings.
Impact
- Increased number of women in leadership in the associations, and improved position of women in households.
- Greater community awareness on gender and domestic violence.
- More women are involved in climate action
- The involvement of men in gender training and related actions has been awakened
Lessons Learned
- Male champions are useful for mobilizing more men for trainings.
- Thanks to the gender balance tree, men realized that men and women have an unequal share of responsibilities in the household.
- It is important to design the training timeframe according to the availability of farmers.
