Agroecological farmer field schools for women

Topic: Gender Equality

Central America

Co-financing

Sustainable Livelihoods

Climate Action

problem & solution

In Morazán Norte, the projects were focused on the production of vegetables and basic grains in an agroecological way, but most of the participants were men. Women were incorporated in some commercial and gender training activities, but not in agricultural activities. Gender prejudice and male concentration in land ownership had a lot to do with this, in addition to the fact that the technical team had not addressed this problem adequately.

The solution was to implement farmer field schools exclusively for women, promoting their empowerment in agroecological techniques and guaranteeing active and equitable participation in community agricultural processes.

the experience

Diagnosis with a gender approach: WSF carried out an institutional diagnosis to identify barriers in female participation and define areas for improvement.
Awareness-raising: The technical team was trained in gender equity and new positive masculinities to change institutional and community perspectives.
Farmer field schools: Training spaces were created especially for women, using practical and participatory methodologies that generated practical knowledge and strengthened community ownership. These schools focus on the exchange of knowledge, reflection and application of measures that arise from the reflection and analysis of the participants and the facilitator
Multiplier leaders: Community leaders were selected who took the information to already established women's savings groups, motivating them to join the farmer field schools.
Family gardens: The participating women replicated the techniques learned in their homes, establishing gardens with an agroecological approach.

01

Challenges

01

Initial resistance from the community due to deep-rooted traditional gender roles.
Predominant male ownership of land, initially limiting women's access to productive resources.
Need for constant training to change perceptions and strengthen practical skills among women.

02

Impact

02

Significant increase in the direct participation of women in agricultural productive activities.
Women's economic and organizational empowerment, increasing their role in community decisions.
Greater awareness of the technical team in the use of inclusive language and gender equality.
At the institutional level, we have overcome the limitation of believing that productive agricultural work can be carried out mostly only by men.

03

Lessons Learned

03

The creation of exclusive spaces for women facilitates their active participation and appropriation of knowledge.
Conducting participatory diagnostics from the beginning is essential to identify real barriers and define clear actions.
Continuously training the technical team in gender equality is necessary to find effective solutions.

Realisation period 2022-2024

Location Municipio de Meanguera, El Salvador

Contact Lucas Argueta

Partner organisation - Fundación Segundo Montes (FSM)

We are backed by more than 30 years of work in our communities in the department of Morazán, promoting the human capacities of women and men in sectors such as agriculture, entrepreneurship, the defence of human rights, soil conservation works, among others.