Learning Holistic Gender-Responsive Project Design Through GREAT

Summary

Nagisa Zina, a rice breeder from Ethiopia working at the Africa Center for Excellence in Ice Research, emphasizes the importance of gender inclusivity in agricultural projects for achieving food security and poverty alleviation. She highlights the impact of neglecting the agricultural workforce, particularly the 50% of women in Sub-Saharan Africa, on project outcomes. Zina discusses her experience with the GREAT course, which offers practical training on integrating gender perspectives into project design, implementation, and evaluation, ultimately leading to more effective and holistic research outcomes.

Takeaways

• 🌾 Nagisa Zina is a rice breeder from Ethiopia, working at the Africa Center for Excellence in Rice Research.
• 📍 The center's headquarters are in Ivory Coast, with five offices including one in Madagascar where Nagisa is currently located.
• 👩‍🌾 Nagisa is particularly interested in the role of gender in agricultural productivity and its impact on food security and poverty alleviation.
• 🔍 She sees a dichotomy in the agricultural sector, where 50% of the workforce in sub-Saharan Africa is often overlooked, affecting progress.
• 👥 Joining the course was motivated by its focus on the gender aspect of research activities, aiming to benefit both men and women equally.
• 📚 Initially skeptical, Nagisa found the course provided both theoretical knowledge and practical applications for gender-responsive research.
• 👓 The course included gender analysis tools that encouraged looking at every project stage through a 'gender lens'.
• 🌱 Nagisa works on the STRASA project, developing stress-tolerant rice varieties for Africa and Southeast Asia.
• 🏞️ She is responsible for developing cold-tolerant rice for high-elevation environments in East Africa.
• 📈 The course emphasized the importance of considering gender in project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• 🌟 The knowledge gained is not only for gender-responsive research but also enhances overall project effectiveness and end-user satisfaction.

Q & A

What is Nagisa Zina's profession and where is she currently located?

Nagisa Zina is a rice breeder by training, and she is currently located in Madagascar.

What is the role of the Africa Center Africa in the context of the script?

The Africa Center Africa is a center of excellence for rice research in Africa, with its headquarters in Ivory Coast and five offices across the continent.

Why is Nagisa motivated to join the Great Course?

Nagisa is motivated to join the Great Course because it offers training that considers the gender aspect of research activities, which she believes is crucial for achieving food security and poverty alleviation.

What is the dichotomy that Nagisa refers to in the script?

The dichotomy Nagisa refers to is the underrepresentation and neglect of the 50% of agricultural participants, which in this context refers to women, in sub-Saharan Africa.

How does the Great Course address the issue of gender in agricultural projects?

The Great Course addresses the issue by training participants to consider both genders in project design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.

What was Nagisa's initial skepticism about the Great Course?

Nagisa was initially skeptical because she thought the course would only provide theoretical knowledge without practical application.

What project is Nagisa involved in, and what is her role in it?

Nagisa is involved in the STRASSEA project, which focuses on developing stress-tolerant rice for Africa and Southeast Asia. She is in charge of developing cold-tolerant rice for high-elevation environments in East Africa.

How does the Great Course incorporate practical activities into its curriculum?

The Great Course includes field practical activities that provide insights into how different genders benefit from certain varieties of rice, emphasizing the importance of gender-responsive research.

What kind of knowledge did Nagisa gain from the Great Course that she found useful?

Nagisa gained knowledge on how to consider the gender aspect at every step of project analysis, as well as skills in quantitative and qualitative research analysis for project implementation and evaluation.

How does the Great Course remind participants of the importance of gender-responsive research?

The course uses a 'gender lens' approach, requiring participants to examine each stage of their activities through this perspective, ensuring that both men and women benefit from the research outcomes.

What is the broader impact of the knowledge gained from the Great Course according to Nagisa?

The knowledge gained is not only for gender-responsive research but is overall useful for any researcher, reminding them of the importance of addressing the lacking elements in research activities to deliver holistic products to end-users.