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In developing countries, rural women and men play different roles in guaranteeing food security for their
households and communities. The gendered aspects of food security are visible along the four pillars of food
security: availability, access, utilization and stability but one cause reported to hamper ineffectiveness is
overlooking gender dynamics. Therefore this study aims to explore the gendered arguments towards food
security by using different methodological tools while focusing on the food security criteria and the three
sustainable development criteria (economic, social and environmental aspects). The specific objectives were to
analyse differences between scientist and farmer perspectives in relation to the three upgrading strategies namely
rainwater harvesting (RWH), improved processing, and household nutrition education and kitchen gardening)
and to find out the difference in results when triangulating the tools on target group in order to set preferences in
local contexts which helps to anticipate what measures would be needed to improve food security. The study
used diverse assessment approaches namely a) a participatory stakeholder approach using the FoPIA tool
(Framework for Participatory Impact Assessment) b) a scientific expert based approach using ScalA-FS (scaling
up assessment-Food security tool), and c). Gender Analysis Matrix (GAM). Focus group discussions, key
informant interviews and household survey were the main methods of data collection. The study found that
female and male participants scored the criteria differently. Men considered social relations in the community
and in the household more important for food security than women did. Women scored several productionrelated
aspects as more important than men. Gender-based inequalities along the food value chain ‘from farm to
plate’ that impede the attainment of food and nutritional security must therefore be addressed through effective
gender responsive policies and programs. |
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