gender mainstreaming efforts in the ethiopian institute of agricultural research

Rehima Mussema, EIAR

EIAR

Gender mainstreaming efforts in the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural

Research

Livestock and Fish Gender Working Group Workshop and Planning Meeting

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 14-18 October 2013

Outline

• Overview of Gender Mainstreaming in the NARS• Achievements of GMg strategies in EIAR• Challenges of GMg activities in EIAR• Future plan of GMg in research projects in EIAR

1. Over view of gender mainstreaming in the NARS

The Government has given special focus to address gender inequality and economic empowerment of women

Agricultural research institutes is therefore expected to contribute to this initiative by providing guidance, technical advice, and information through forming strong collaboration with the MoA and other SHs.

These in return would contribute to achieve sustainable rural development as well as contributing to poverty reduction initiatives.

This strategy is thus, prepared to assist agricultural research institutes to internalize gender aspect into their research and development activities.

• Gender related activities in NARS were underway since mid-1990s

• EIAR has identified the need for a demand-driven and merit-based HRD, with particular emphasis on gender

• However, formal GM aspect was commenced during the first sensitization workshop (Oct. 1999) at the former EARO/ - EIAR.

to commence a firm foundation for the introduction of gender concerns in to the NARS – to make GSR/GRR

to create gender awareness among researchers and develop a strategy to integrate gender in agricultural research activities.

1.1 Gender mainstreaming status

GM status…..

• To this effect, a GFU was established under the REFLD in 2003.

• Gender issue encompasses all aspects of extension activities need assessment, behavior identification, and

• also REFLD is facilitating participatory and farmers led research and technology transfer activities.

• to fulfill the institutional and national expectations necessitate for the unit to stand by its own/independent in October 2006 ,

• obtained additional support and fertile ground for facilitation of the GM process in the NARS.

• Thus, the unit is given the position of GRCO and officially

mandated to coordinate and facilitate gender related activities in the research system as of Dec 2009.

GM status…..

1. Established GM unit at HQ level and GFP at center and regional level,

2. Organizational assessment carried out (2005),3. Priority in gender mainstreaming identified, 4. Sex and gender disaggregated information was

produced W/t to resource, decision making,5. TOR for GU, federal and regional research centers

developed ,6. Establish national gender mainstreaming network 7. Joint planning workshop was held in Sep. 2009,

2. Accomplished Activities since the establishment of the GFU

Cont…

Launching workshop of Strategy and Action Plan, January 2009

8. GM strategy, action plan developed (for the year 2009-2012 ),

9. ToT Participants on Dec. 2009,Cont…

EIAR

Tigray

SNNPR

Gambella

Cont…

10. Case studies conducted,

11. Development of users guide entitled “Gender analysis tools: users’ guide in Agricultural Research for development”,

12. Capacity building ,

13. Women specific empowerment activities ,

14. Affirmative actions (employment, training),

15. Women forum established ,

Accomplished Activities…………..

16. Demonstration of newly released technologies,

17. Demonstration and popularization of different soya bean

dishes,

18. Pre scaling up of best technologies,

19. Organizing District level Innovation Platform,

20. Participatory variety selection,

21. gender based pre-scaling up activities,

22. Participatory post harvest handling training, etc.

Accomplished Activities…………..

• Strengthening the political will to achieve gender equality and equity at all levels;

• Incorporating a gender perspective into the research planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes

• Integrating a gender concern into the personnel policies and management, and legal affairs including the administration of justice;

• Promote women specific empowerments initiatives through improved technologies

• Increasing the numbers of women in decision-making positions;

2.1 Gender mainstreaming strategies and approaches in EIAR

• Promoting the use of sex-disaggregated data in statistical analysis to reveal how research projects impact differently on women and men;

• Providing training on gender awareness, gender analysis and gender planning for:-

top level decision makers, researchers, TAs and administrative staff to ensure integration of gender perspective into their work;

• Creating and strengthening linkages between governments, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders to ensure a co-ordination of efforts and resources; and

• Establishing of M & E, and reporting mechanisms.

Cont …

GM effort in livestock research

• Gender specific project -Chicken production• Dairy,• Milk churner• Fish production, feed preparation, processing and

post harvest handling training for women and men

3. GM challenges in Agricultural Research

• Poor participation of women farmers in all project cycle and pre- scaling up activities (lack of resources, education, skill , knowledge, ..)

• Women farmers lack getting benefits equal to men from the interventions

• Most of the technologies are not designed in the way to solve women’s problems in a given area

• Limitation of skill/knowledge/capacity of GM, gender analysis and using participatory approach

• GFP in center take GM taken as an additional work

• Lack of accountability

• Gender training is not considered as part of other training

4. Future plan of GMg in the research projects

• Based on the above problem the following plans are designed:

GFP will strongly participate in all project cycle

GFD –HRD planned to employ permanent GFP (five centers)

Giving training/reminding for all (supporting and researchers)

Participate on research reviews at all level (case team, center, national)

Strongly work with PMED

Gender auditing

All theses planed activities may improve/guide GM activities in agricultural research

Thank you for your

attention!!!

To reduce gender gap; always we have to consider women’s role in

all our projects!!!!!