Transforming Livestock Value Chains Through Gender Empowerment

The LD4D Gender and Livestock Data Community of Practice held its first Community Conversation of the year, with speakers from Tanager providing insights into gender inclusivity in livestock farming.

Tanager, a global development organisation, presented its innovative approaches to gender integration and empowerment in the poultry value chain across Africa. Their presentation emphasised on the need for gender integration in agricultural development, stressing the importance for not only community-level impact but also for organisational benefits.

The evidence comes from highlighted three key programmes:

• Impacting Gender and Nutrition through Innovative Technical Exchange in Agriculture Plus (IGNITE/ IGNITE+)

• Supporting households to Launch Poultry Farming and Promote the Rural Economy (Soutenir l’Exploitation Familiales pour Lancer l’Elevage des Volailles et Valoriser l’Economie Rurale - SELEVER 1&2)

• African Poultry Multiplication Initiative (APMI)

Tanager’s work has been instrumental in transforming agricultural institutions, small scale producers and households through technical assistance and direct implementation on gender and nutrition integration. Key strategies included building institutional capacity, engaging men through positive masculinity approaches, and supporting women's economic empowerment.

Significant findings emerged from their work. Several institutions which received technical assistance from Tanager's IGNITE programme achieved 70% leadership buy-in, 75% staff awareness of gender and nutrition integration, and increased budget allocations for gender and nutrition initiatives. The SELEVER programme in Burkina Faso demonstrated remarkable progress in household decision-making, particularly through the Ebene model, which actively engaged men in supporting women's economic participation.

Challenges discussed included vaccine supply chain limitations, gender-based violence, and institutional resistance to women's roles in vaccination and poultry production. The organisation addressed these by creating women's professional associations, developing digital inclusion approaches, and fostering supportive community networks.

Tanager’s presentation underscored the importance of holistic, systemic approaches to gender integration in agricultural development, emphasising both institutional transformation and community-level change.

Watch Webinar Recording

Watch the full recording from the webinar on the Gender & Livestock Data Community of Practice Hub website.

Recordings are available exclusively for Community of Practice members.