Document Abstract
Published:
2010
Tips for integrating gender into USAID agricultural sector solicitations
Women play a major role in agricultural activities in many developing countries, producing 60-80 percent of food. Although this contribution is crucial to food security and economic growth women continue to have limited access to key resources and services restricting their productivity and opportunities to develop. This guide aims to help U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) agricultural officers integrate gender issues into agricultural programmes by providing key points and examples on how to prepare USAID programme proposals, applications and reports. It provides section-by-section tips for integrating gender into design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programme activities.
Organisational jargon is used throughout the document as these guidelines were created for internal use. However a useful glossary explains key terms and also defines USAID interpretations of gender terminology, such as 'gender dynamics' and 'gender integration', and also explains the distinction between gender and sex. The document provides general gender considerations for programme staff when preparing a proposal, for example: include sex-disaggregated information to show a clear understanding of the context and inequalities; the focus should not be solely on women and girls but should examine roles, relationships and dynamics between men and women. It is also suggested that programme staff need to demonstrate commitment to and experience with addressing gender issues in agriculture, as well as ensuring that the Technical Evaluation Committee has at least one gender expert within it in order to effectively evaluate the gender activities and objectives set out in the proposal.
Specific guidelines for creating agricultural programme objectives and indicators that promote and measure gender equality are also provided, such as:
Organisational jargon is used throughout the document as these guidelines were created for internal use. However a useful glossary explains key terms and also defines USAID interpretations of gender terminology, such as 'gender dynamics' and 'gender integration', and also explains the distinction between gender and sex. The document provides general gender considerations for programme staff when preparing a proposal, for example: include sex-disaggregated information to show a clear understanding of the context and inequalities; the focus should not be solely on women and girls but should examine roles, relationships and dynamics between men and women. It is also suggested that programme staff need to demonstrate commitment to and experience with addressing gender issues in agriculture, as well as ensuring that the Technical Evaluation Committee has at least one gender expert within it in order to effectively evaluate the gender activities and objectives set out in the proposal.
Specific guidelines for creating agricultural programme objectives and indicators that promote and measure gender equality are also provided, such as:
- Introduce specific information on gender inequalities and differing needs between men and women in the programme, such as women's limited access to credit and other assets
- Address institutional issues such as under-representation of women in agricultural ministries or universities
- Incorporate measurable gender indicators that show changes in gender roles or constraints to participation
- Collect sex-disaggregated data for all people-level indicators to track impact of activities on men and women
