Date
01.01.2024

Empowering women in agroecology

Topic: Gender Equality
Gender Equality
Senegal
Sustainable Livelihoods
Co-financing

Problem & Solution

In order to provide effective and sustainable support, a training strategy was implemented to give technicians a greater sense of responsibility for monitoring the areas for which they are responsible.


However, following an evaluation, limitations were identified in the knowledge and skills transfer approach, in particular a technical approach that does not encourage beneficiaries to take real responsibility, poor application of good agroecological practices and a project logic that only lasts during the intervention of the technicians.


The solution was to call in agroecology 'relays', who act as a link between the technician and the community. A "relay" is a dynamic woman who is a member of the group and able to share her expertise with others, going beyond the inappropriate technical language of a "techno-expert".

The experience

A strategic review meeting was held in 2019 to define a new training strategy, leading to the selection and training of "relays" based on specific criteria.

The first cohort of relays, after completing the training, expressed a high level of satisfaction, leading to an official installation and recognition ceremony. The programme was evaluated and adjustments were made for the second cohort.

During the pandemic, the relais demonstrated their ability to manage market gardens, using digital tools to solve problems. The experience highlighted the important role of the relais and their ability to adapt to challenges, particularly during the pandemic.

01

Challenges

01

  • There is still reluctance and resistance on the part of some members who cannot accept that women relays should take the lead.
  • Scaling up (large-scale training) the experience of women relays to ensure they are more representative in all agro-ecological areas.
  • Misinformation about the supposed compensation of the relays leads to misunderstandings within the community. Explanation sessions had to be held for all members.
02

Impact

02

  • Women relay workers benefit from a strategic repositioning within their household and the community, with the major aim of improving their status.
  • Improved skills and practices in agroecology
  • Change in men's attitudes towards women in agroecology
  • Women take the lead in purchasing directly from the supplier, rather than going through the technicians who used to handle the operation.
03

Lessons Learned

03

  • The influence of peers is more effective in changing farmers' behaviour than that of technicians. The fact that the relays come from the same background makes adoption of new measures much easier.
  • To make a success of an innovation, you have to start with the actors who are committed to providing solutions to real problems.
  • Any innovation must address a need or provide a solution to a problem, otherwise there is no guarantee that it will be shared.
Realisation period 2019-2020
Location Nioro du Rip, Senegal
Contact Symbiose office
Further reading

watch SYMBIOSE's video about their experience

Partner organisation - Symbiose Sénégal

Symbiose supports and assists grassroots communities in achieving sustainable development. Its staff has a wealth of experience and is made up of sociologists, educational mediators, community organisers, agronomy technicians and finance technicians.

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