Synthesis Report on Gender Transformative Approach to Overcome Gender-Based Constraints within the Livestock CRP Target Sites in Ethiopia: Gender issues addressed, outcomes reported and the way forward

Abstract

The synthesis review on community conversations (CCs) covered one published paper and 26 unpublished reports (technical reports, manuals, extension materials, training materials, blog stories, and posters) to produce this review report. The CC interventions implemented in five Livestock CRP target sites in Ethiopia by ICARDA/ILRI gender research team. The objective was to make the ongoing small ruminant value chain transformation more gender responsive by addressing the key gender issues previously identified and those emerge during the CC discussions across the target sites. The community conversations engaged about 1248 (488 females) participants who took part either as couples or individuals in various rounds of the CC events. Female participation in community conversations was about 39.1%. The gender issues addressed through this transformative approach, CCs, under small ruminant value chain development program were in line with the identified gender-based constraints to women’s active participation in the breeding cooperatives in particular and CBBP in general. The key gender issues so far addressed through the CCs are related to access to and control over livestock resources and social structures; gender division of labor and the risk of zoonoses; restrictive gender norms and animal welfare; gender-differentiated use of antibiotics and access to information and microbial resistance; animal feeds, animal health, collective livestock marketing and social structures. The steps followed in implementing the CCs were in concordance with literature, inclusive and community engaging which possibly activate intrinsic motivation and ownership of the process. Early signs of change in knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) along the important gender issues were reported across the target sites although these outcomes have not yet validated through an impact evaluation. Bringing about the desired KAP among community members in the livestock CRP target sites has tremendous implications for the improvement of the gender contexts in which CBBP being implemented. It has the potential to bring about improvements in the conditions of women community members who were found not actively taking part in the, for example, breeding cooperatives. However, it is apparent that there is a need to objectively carry out an impact evaluation of the CC interventions in order to draw lessons and identify gaps for future interventions. These includes critically assessing the impacts of the CC at various levels including changes at individual, household, community, and institutional levels. Therefore, as a way forward, conducting impact evaluation of the CC interventions in the CBBP target groups in order to generate detailed information on the CC processes, impact achieved at various levels, challenges encountered and lessons learnt is an important step. The information generated would not only help to generate relevant lessons for similar interventions for the program but also will provide an input for devising mechanisms that ensure its sustainability and scaling the approach within and beyond livestock CRP programs and target sites.