07/29/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/29/2021 11:16
The Feed the Future Senegal Kawolor project places women at the heart of nutrition and food security interventions in Senegal. Women play an important role in agriculture and in food production, representing 43% of the agricultural workforce, on average. However, they are more affected than men by hunger. Women are economically and socially disadvantaged because men still make many domestic and community decisions. They also have poor access to land, material, and financial resources. Aware of the central role of women in the overall management of the household, the Kawolor project implements various initiatives to remove obstacles that may hinder women's participation. These initiatives encourage women's voices in decision-making, particularly in improving nutrition and food security within families. Within the framework of the project's gender component, two strategies for promoting good gender practices have been put forward, including:
Through these two strategies, Kawolor carried out interventions capable of strengthening women's decision-making power within their households and removing socio-cultural barriers negatively impacting the development of women in healthcare and business management.
Results of the 2020 annual survey compared to the 2018 baseline survey data
The results of the Kawolor 2020 annual survey carried out in 52 first-generation municipalities showed a very satisfactory increase in the percentage of households where women actively participate in decision-making, including the use of family income and children's health, diet and proper nutrition of family members. The data showed:
This great leap forward is a result of various awareness-raising trainings and advocacy activities between 2018 and 2020. These have made it possible to strengthen the power of women in decision-making concerning health, food, nutrition, and the use of family income within the household.
The project worked with couples to create safe spaces where women could share their views on existing inequalities, express their desire to influence food security, and fight malnutrition within the household.
Furthermore, Kawolor focused on developing women's skills in communication and advocacy techniques, assertiveness, and household problem-solving mechanisms. Finally, the project carried out a range of crucial communication activities, strengthening women's leadership and negotiating decision-making power within the couple.