Transforming Gender Roles in Agricultural Extension

Topic Eight Gender Issues in Agriculture Extension

Gender in Agricultural Extension Classically in extension, household is conceptualized as programmes units. It is considered as individuals working in similar ways to for common goal under the leadership of a male head. However actuality, the household is a more complex and dynamic social entity. The key role played by women in agriculture was in the past mostly was not acknowledged in government data and decision-making.

This situation has changed over the last two or three decades, and much has been achieved in giving recognition to the importance of women in the agricultural sector. Gender mainstreaming is the current global approach in advancing gender equality and equity. At the level of national government are trying , to involve incorporate a gender perspective into policies, plans, programmes and projects to ensure that these impact on women and men in an equitable way

Improving Women's Access to Extension Agricultural extension strategies traditionally have focused on increasing production of cash crops by providing men with training, information, and access to inputs and services. This male bias is illustrated in farmer training centres, which have been established to provide residential training on technical subjects. Most do not provide separate washing and sleeping accommodations for men and women and do not provide facilities for the care of babies or young children, factors which may prevent women from attending the centres.

Gender in Research and Extension in Ethiopia The conventional extension approach to female farmers was related to the reproductive and domestic roles that underestimated the productive role. The gender aspect was not recognized as a significant factor in designing the rural development strategy.

All the focus of extension services targeted on women farmers were associated with their traditionally accepted domestic roles (more on household management, nutrition, cooking, and family planning). This home economics extension program was important branch of the ministry to reach women farmers, and could have been more effective if it had been addressing the productive role of women as well.