Call for Cases:

Gender Equality in Value Chains Writeshop

22 – 30 November 2010, Nairobi, Kenya

The Agri-ProFocus network is organizing a writeshop to systematize knowledge and experiences around gender in value chains. The writeshop – facilitated by KIT and IIRR and financially supported by ICCO, HIVOS, Cordaid and Oxfam Novib -  will be held from 22 – 30 November 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya. This call for cases invites you to share your experiences with a selected group of practitioners (e.g. from local NGOs, women’s organizations, farmer groups), resource persons, editors and artists. By jointly documenting real-life experiences we will develop a practical book which is easy to understand and use by practitioners in the field.

Why gender equality in value chains?

There are different rationales for bringing in gender equality in value chains, varying from rights based principles to economic opportunities and challenges. On an individual level gender equality contributes to the individual well-being and to people’s agency and ability to make use of resources. At the firm-level gender equality in value chains contributes to robust and successful businesses; it helps female farmers to access and make use of resources, and it contributes to the inclusion of women as economic actors in the chain. On a societal level it contributes to the overall well-being and helps to generate new social outcomes.

While the rationale for bringing gender equality in value chains may be convincing, the reality lags behind. Gender inequalities are still prevailing and value chain interventions tend to reproduce these inequalities. Results are inefficiency, unintended negative impacts and – in the end – poor instead of pro-poor value chains.

Writeshop approach and benefits

The writeshop will be an intense 9 day participative process. We aim to bring together practitioners (e.g. staff from NGOs, businesses, producer organizations, policy makers and other value chain actors) from Africa, Asia and Latin-America.  A team of editors, artists and resource persons will guide and assist the participating practitioners in the writing process. We expect to have a group of about 35 people working together.

The writeshop and book will result in a clear overview of the rationale for bringing in gender equality in value chains. Moreover it will offer insight in different strategies and tools in use, while being illustrated by your case-experiences.

As participant you will learn from the experiences in other parts of the world, improve your writing skills, and become part of a world-wide network of gender and value chains practitioners. You will become the proud co-author of the book and your own case document will give you a unique way to present your business to clients, partners, or donors.

Your participation will be fully funded (travel expenses and full lodging). We will arrange for free wireless facilities to ensure your online availability. Working language of the writeshop will be in English. French and Spanish translation will be provided for, if so required.

Selection Criteria

Through this call for cases we are looking for convincing, inspiring and challenging experiences. We aim to invite a maximum of 25 cases. As we strive to have a variety of experiences we will apply two sets of selection criteria: on content and on participants.

Criteria for case content

Your case content will need to focus on:

a.     Agribusiness, which includes agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry, or bio-fuels;

b.     An experience which has a link to markets (domestic, regional and/or export);

c.      A country in Asia, Africa and/or Latin America;

d.     One (or more) of the following strategies (linked to different value chain actors and factors):

üPromotion of female membership / leadership in producer organizations,

üFemale entrepreneurship development in processing and trading,

üGender sensitive (contract) farming of (international) companies,

üPromoting business development services for female clients,

üDeveloping financial products for female entrepreneurs,

üCreating an enabling environment through lobby on land titles, laws and regulations with regards to credits, etc; 

üGender in standards and codes / certification / CSR processes;

üPromoting women only labels and brands;

üMethodologies related to particular parts of the project cycle: gender sensitive value chain analysis, – planning, – implementation or – monitoring and evaluation.

üSensitization of men / creating platforms for men to change.

e.     An experience which provides insight into a specific problem, the rationale behind the selection of the strategy, the implementation thereof as well as some of the results, lessons and challenges.

f.      The use of specific tools / approaches to gender equality in value chains (optional).

Criteria for participants

In addition to the above ‘case-content-criteria’ we ask that participants:

a.     Have in-depth – hands-on – knowledge of the case experience;

b.     Will commit to participate at least 6 out of the 9 write shop days;

c.      Preferably master the English language.

Case Abstract

To apply for participation, you are invited to submit a short abstract (2 pages maximum) of the case that you would like to share in the writeshop. The case abstract should present:

a.     Basic data like location, commodity, value chain, cooperating partners / donors;

b.     A short story of the experience;

c.      A reflection on the developmental relevance of the case and the lessons / insights that it can provide to others;

d.     Names of the person who will represent the case in the writeshop, their proficiency in English, and their commitment in number of days;  

e.     Estimated costs of traveling to Nairobi, Kenya.

Time table

Further information

If you need any other assistance please contact:

ü  Rhiannon Pyburn, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, r.pyburn@kit.nl, + 31-20-5688444

ü  Anna Laven, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, a.laven@kit.nl, +31-20-5688207

ü  Roel Snelder, Agri-ProFocus, rsnelder@agri-profocus.nl. + 31-26-3542057

ü  Janet Nyaoro, IIRR, janet.nyaoro@iirr.org +254 20 444 2610 / 0991

ü  Online platform: http://genderinvaluechains.ning.com .

This writeshop is 4th in a series of value chain writeshops by KIT and IIRR. Earlier volumes (PDFs can be freely downloaded) dealt with:

ü  the empowerment of farmer organizations in value chains (2006): http://www.kit.nl/smartsite.shtml?id=SINGLEPUBLICATION&ItemID=2501

ü  the role of traders in value chains (2008): http://smartsite.kit.nl/smartsite.shtml?id=SINGLEPUBLICATION&ItemID=1952&ch=FAB

ü  and value chain finance (2009): http://www.kit.nl/smartsite.shtml?id=SINGLEPUBLICATION&ItemID=2740