Training Course on Gender Approaches to Agricultural Extension, Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya

Agricultural extension services play a vital role in empowering farmers and improving food security by disseminating knowledge and technology. However, the impact of these services is often unequal, especially when gender considerations are overlooked. The Gender Approaches to Agricultural Extension training course is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to integrate gender-sensitive approaches into agricultural extension services. By addressing the specific needs, roles, and contributions of men and women in agriculture, this course ensures that agricultural development is more inclusive, equitable, and effective.

The course will explore how gender dynamics affect access to resources, decision-making, and opportunities within agricultural communities. It will provide participants with the skills to incorporate gender considerations into extension planning, program design, and implementation, fostering more equitable outcomes for both women and men farmers. By adopting gender-responsive agricultural extension strategies, professionals can improve productivity, enhance sustainable agricultural practices, and support the economic empowerment of women in rural areas.

This training program is built on the recognition that agriculture is not a neutral sector. Gender inequalities in agriculture are prevalent and must be addressed to ensure that extension services reach all farmers equitably. The course will emphasize practical tools and frameworks that participants can apply to assess and address gender-related barriers in agricultural extension, ensuring that extension services are not only effective but also empowering for both men and women.

Course Duration

5 Days

Course Objectives

1. Understand the importance of gender in agricultural extension and rural development.
2. Learn how gender roles influence agricultural production, resource access, and decision-making.
3. Identify barriers to gender equality in agricultural extension services.
4. Explore gender-responsive approaches to agricultural extension program design.
5. Develop strategies to empower women farmers and enhance their access to resources.
6. Integrate gender analysis into the planning and delivery of agricultural extension services.
7. Examine case studies of gender-inclusive agricultural extension practices.
8. Understand the intersectionality of gender with other factors such as age, disability, and socioeconomic status.
9. Evaluate the outcomes of gender-sensitive extension programs and assess their impact.
10. Advocate for gender equality in agricultural policies and extension systems.

Organizational Benefits

1. Enhance the inclusivity of their agricultural extension services by addressing gender-specific needs.
2. Increase agricultural productivity and sustainability by promoting gender-equitable practices.
3. Improve the effectiveness of extension programs through gender-responsive approaches.
4. Empower women farmers, leading to stronger community resilience and economic development.
5. Strengthen their reputation by demonstrating a commitment to gender equality in agriculture.
6. Foster a more inclusive organizational culture that values diverse perspectives and contributions.
7. Gain a competitive edge by adopting gender-sensitive policies and practices in agricultural development.
8. Enhance collaboration with government, NGOs, and international organizations on gender-focused agricultural projects.
9. Contribute to meeting international gender equality goals, such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5.
10. Improve organizational impact assessments by considering gender outcomes in agricultural projects.

Target Participants

• Agricultural extension officers and advisors
• Rural development professionals
• Gender specialists working in agriculture
• Program managers and coordinators in agricultural development organizations
• Government officials responsible for agricultural policy
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on rural development
• Researchers in agricultural and rural development fields
• International development agencies focusing on gender and agriculture
• Agricultural educators and trainers
• Women’s empowerment advocates in rural communities.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Gender in Agricultural Extension

1. Defining gender and its importance in agriculture.
2. The role of agricultural extension in rural development.
3. Understanding gender roles in agricultural production.
4. Key challenges faced by women and men in rural areas.
5. Case Study: Gender-responsive extension services in East Africa.

Module 2: Gender Analysis in Agricultural Extension

1. Understanding gender analysis frameworks and tools.
2. Gendered division of labor in agriculture and its implications.
3. Assessing gender disparities in access to resources and decision-making.
4. Tools for conducting gender analysis in agricultural extension.
5. Case Study: Gender analysis in a smallholder farming community.

Module 3: Designing Gender-Sensitive Agricultural Extension Programs

1. Key principles of gender-sensitive program design.
2. Identifying gender-specific needs and opportunities in agricultural communities.
3. Incorporating gender into needs assessments and program planning.
4. Developing gender-sensitive objectives and outcomes for agricultural programs.
5. Case Study: Designing a gender-sensitive training program for rural farmers.

Module 4: Empowering Women Farmers through Agricultural Extension

1. Strategies to enhance women's access to resources (land, credit, education).
2. Gender-responsive approaches to technology adoption and innovation.
3. Addressing barriers to women's participation in decision-making.
4. Building women’s leadership in agriculture and rural development.
5. Case Study: Empowering women through cooperative farming initiatives.

Module 5: Monitoring and Evaluating Gender-Responsive Agricultural Extension

1. Developing gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
2. Collecting sex-disaggregated data for program impact assessment.
3. Measuring the outcomes of gender-responsive agricultural programs.
4. Identifying and addressing gaps in program implementation.
5. Case Study: Monitoring and evaluation of a gender-focused agricultural project.

Module 6: Gender Advocacy and Policy in Agricultural Extension

1. Promoting gender equality through agricultural policy.
2. Gender mainstreaming in national and international agricultural development frameworks.
3. Advocating for gender-responsive agricultural extension services.
4. Building partnerships for gender equality in agricultural development.
5. Case Study: Policy advocacy for gender equity in rural development.

Training Methodology

This course employs a participatory and hands-on approach to ensure practical learning, including:

• Interactive lectures and presentations.
• Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
• Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
• Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
• Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
• Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
• Expert-led Q&A sessions.
• Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.

Course Schedule