Advancing Gender Equality in Agrifood Systems: A Critical Workshop on the Scaling Readiness of the Gender Norms Measurement Toolkit

On June 19, 2024, a consortium of experts and stakeholders dedicated to advancing gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion within agrifood systems convened at the White Sands Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The gathering aimed to evaluate the scaling readiness of the Gender Norms in Agrifood Systems Measurement Toolkit. Developed by the CGIAR Gender Equality Initiative, HER+, this toolkit provides essential guidance for researchers, planners, and implementers aiming to address gender inequities and transform social norms within the agricultural and food security sectors.

This comprehensive toolkit provides step-by-step guidelines, templates, and empirical examples tailored for measuring and tracking gendered social norms specific to agrifood systems. Developed through collaborative efforts involving various research institutes and stakeholders in Tanzania and Nigeria, the toolkit supports the design, implementation, and evaluation of gender transformative interventions, enhancing outcomes for women, men, and youth across cassava, chicken, and fisheries agricultural systems in Low- and Middle-income countries and beyond.

Methodology and Approach

The workshop's primary objective was to assess the toolkit's scalability and to develop an innovation package capable of overcoming identified barriers to widespread adoption using the Innovation Packaging and Scaling Readiness (IPSR) approach.

Facilitated by Dr. Nicoletta Buono and Dr. Aichi Kitalyi, the workshop followed a structured agenda encompassing the core innovation description, barriers and challenges to scaling, enabler solutions, and a rigorous assessment of innovation readiness.

Employing a highly interactive and participatory methodology, the workshop leveraged the participants' collective expertise. Through individual reflections, breakout group discussions, and plenary sessions, participants analyzed challenges and potential solutions associated with scaling the toolkit. Scaling involves extending reach and deepening impact, ensuring that the toolkit effectively addresses gender norms at all systemic levels," said Millicent Liani, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist at IITA.

Barriers to Scaling

Several key barriers to scaling the toolkit were identified. These included substantial awareness and knowledge gaps among potential users like gender researchers and stakeholders, financial constraints due to insufficient funding and government commitment, cultural and legal barriers including entrenched norms and restrictive legal frameworks hindering gender equality and social inclusion, and technical and capacity challenges such as limited expertise and institutional capacity to use the toolkit effectively.

"Financial sustainability is critical for scaling. Exploring innovative funding mechanisms and partnerships is essential to support the toolkit's long-term deployment," noted Mshaguley Ishika, National Coordinator for Technology Dissemination and Partnership -TARI.

Enabler Solutions

In response to these barriers, participants proposed several enabler solutions. They emphasized capacity building through comprehensive training programs to enhance stakeholders' understanding and utilization of the toolkit. Strategic alignment with existing policies and frameworks of targeted organizations was recommended to facilitate seamless adoption. Strengthening stakeholder engagement was highlighted as crucial, fostering coordination and collaboration to create a supportive environment for scaling the toolkit.

Innovation Readiness and Use Assessment

A robust scoring system was employed to assess the readiness and availability of proposed solutions. This assessment illuminated areas requiring further engagement and development, thereby ensuring that the proposed solutions are both viable and scalable.

"Successful scaling requires the toolkit to be adaptable to various cultural contexts and flexible enough to address the unique challenges faced by different communities," said Henry Abraham Msangula, Coordinator at ENABEL.

Conclusion and Path Forward

The workshop concluded with optimism and a renewed commitment among participants.
"The success of scaling the Gender Norms Measurement Toolkit lies in fostering strong partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations," remarked Nessie Luambano, Centre Manager at TARI Kibaha. The collaborative efforts exemplified during the workshop illustrate the power of collective action in driving social change and enhancing resilience within agrifood systems.

"Scaling requires not only replication but also adaptation. Continuous refinement and improvement of the toolkit based on feedback and lessons learned from initial implementations are crucial," emphasized Regina Maunde, Gender Expert at Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial University.

Scaling ambition

By 2025, HER+ Initiative and partners will work to accomplish the use of the Gender Norms in Agrifood Systems Measurement Toolkit with 10 NGOs, 3 national research institution, 5 universities, and 3 government ministries working in the chicken, fish (dagaa), and cassava agrifood systems in Tanzania to target normative constraints that limit capacities of women food-system actors to build economic resilience to Climate Change challenges using gender transformative approaches.

Author: Sarah Msita, Researcher-IITA

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