Gender strategy and action plan

Agroforestry is increasingly recognized as having a central role in sustainable agriculture. Research hasshown that trees can deliver multiple benefits in agriculture – from combating climate change and contributingto food production and household nutrition, to providing sustainable fuel and timber (Mbow etal, 2014; Righe et al, 2014). Women farmers – who are often responsible for managing trees, especiallyat the early stages of establishment – are key players in agroforestry systems (Kiptot, et al, 2014). Yetwomen’s roles in tree-based agricultural production and the complex gender relations that shape decision-making have received minimal research attention.The World Development Report, published by the World Bank in 2012, states that gender equality is acore development objective in its own right. Increased focus on gender equality in production systemscan transform agricultural livelihoods, improve development outcomes and make institutional culturesmore enabling. This strategy and action plan approaches gender as a crosscutting element in agroforestryresearch and development and as a strategic research focus. It is aligned and contributes to theCGIAR strategies for integration of gender in research, at the consortium level and at the level of thedifferent Consortium Research Programmes (CRPs) in which ICRAF participates. Integrating gender inICRAF’s research will pave the way for scientists to improve their understanding of gender and facilitatethe development of critical capacities to generate more and better quality research on gender and equity.This strategy and action plan systematically articulates key mechanisms and processes required toimprove gender in agroforestry research and development. It also lays out a roadmap and action pointsto accomplish the objectives of the strategy.Objectives of the gender strategy:• Raise awareness and understanding of the importance of gender integration in agroforestryresearch and development in ICRAF and among partners through relevant gender sensitizationand training;• Enhance gender research capacity in ICRAF and among partners through provision of expertiseand robust tools;• Mobilize adequate resources to support the goals of this strategy and drive ICRAF’s vision ofrural transformation in the developing world as smallholders increase their use of trees in agriculturallandscapes to improve food security, incomes, health and environmental sustainability;• Generate a co-learning cycle between gender research and development practice and ensurethat gender dimensions are fully integrated in negotiation support for relevant agroforestrylandscapes.

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