Action research to support women’s agency and empowerment in livestock vaccine distribution, delivery and use in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya
It is estimated that 75-90% of smallholder livestock farmers in Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda are women. These farmers face production challenges due to animal diseases, including Peste des Petits Ruminants, Rift Valley fever, and Newcastle disease. Many animal-associated diseases are preventable, but women farmers face many barriers to fully benefit from livestock vaccines. These include unsuitable vaccines in the local market, lack of extension services, and unreliable structures for vaccine delivery. To empower women to effectively contribute to and benefit from the vaccine supply chain as entrepreneurs, service/product providers, and users, more focus is necessary on the gender-related technical, social, cultural, and economic barriers that they encounter.
The objectives of this project are to generate evidence and formulate strategies that help position women to effectively and efficiently contribute to and benefit from livestock vaccines; enhance women’s participation in livestock vaccine distribution, delivery, and use; test gender-focused models that target specific entry points for women along the vaccine value chain (all production activities up to sale of final product); and provide data and information that can impact program and policy interventions.
A comprehensive strategy will be used that integrates gender analysis tools and frameworks for action research in the vaccine value chain analysis. The research team will use three main tools: USAID’s five domains of gender analysis; the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index; and the seven steps of action research in value chains from the Danish Institute for International Studies. The results generated will identify opportunities that can be used to empower women smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs to contribute to and benefit from livestock vaccines, thereby improving livestock production and women’s livelihoods.
This project is supported by the Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund (LVIF), a partnership of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Affairs Canada, and IDRC. LVIF represents a joint investment of CA$57 million over five years to support the development, production, and commercialization of innovative vaccines against priority livestock diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Project ID
109061
Project Status
Active
Duration
36 months
IDRC Officer
Evelyn Baraké
Total Funding
CA$ 2,494,700.00
Location
Kenya
Rwanda
Uganda
Programs
Climate-Resilient Food Systems
Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund
Institution Country
United States
Project Leader
Hellen Amuguni
Institution
Trustees of Tufts College
Institution Website
Institution Country
Uganda
Project Leader
Winnie Bikaako
Institution
Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN) Limited
Institution Website
Outputs
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Barriers to livestock vaccine use among rural female smallholder farmers of Nyagatare district in Rwanda Article
This study examined the factors driving low adoption of vaccination against Newcastle disease (NCD) and Rift Valley fever (RFV) among smallholder women farmers of Nyagatare District in order to identify appropriate strategies that can lead to improved livestock production. Results reveal that women’s ability to use livestock vaccines is constrained by cultural norms that limit their decisions over productive assets and income for use in buying vaccines. Women are also hindered by unavailability of the livestock vaccines, lack of information and knowledge about livestock vaccination, and limited access to veterinary extension services. Author(s): Mukamana, Liberata, Rosenbaum, Marieke, Schurer, Janna, Miller, Beth, Niyitanga, Fidèle, Majyambere, Denis, Kabarungi, Mary, Amuguni, Helen Language: English |
Using outcome mapping to mobilize critical stakeholders for gender responsive Rift Valley fever and newcastle disease vaccine value chain in Rwanda Article
Women farmers find little support for the small livestock they manage due to official preference for cattle production. The study aimed to identify opportunities for women’s engagement in the livestock vaccine value chain (LVVC) and to reduce barriers to vaccines. Outcome Mapping, and the Gender Equality Continuum Tool were used to classify and engage critical partners. Enhanced positioning and visibility of women can occur through recognition of the roles that women play and systemic engagement of all stakeholders. Poverty among livestock keepers is particularly high in sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that more than 85 percent live in extreme poverty, where two-thirds of producers are women. Author(s): Gannaway, Tess, Majyambere, Denis, Kabarungi, Mary, Mukamana, Liberata, Niyitanga, Fidèle, Schurer, Janna, Miller, Beth, Amuguni, Hellen Language: English |
Gendered barriers and opportunities for women smallholder farmers in the contagious caprine pleuropneumonia vaccine value chain in Kenya Article
Findings show that key constraints to vaccine access and adoption for rural smallholder women farmers are lack of a cold chain for vaccine maintenance, inadequate and late delivery of veterinary services, lack of information and training, and limited financial capacity to purchase the vaccine. In Kenya, Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a highly infectious disease of goats with a mortality rate of more than 70%. A vaccine for CCPP is available but difficult to access by rural women. This study examines the gaps and barriers that prevent women smallholder farmers from effectively accessing and adopting CCPP vaccination for their animals in the Machakos district of Kenya. Author(s): Kyotos, Kitoga Byalungwa, Oduma, Jemimah, Wahome, Raphael Githaiga, Kaluwa, Catherine, Abdirahman, Faduma Abdulahi, Opondoh, Angela Language: English |
2021-2022 calendar - Kenya Brief
This calendar is made for those raising poultry in Kenya. It contains colour coded stickers for participants to track all dates of vaccination, mortality, and illness in their livestock, as well as trainings they have received. Author(s): Tufts University Language: English |
SheVax+ : activity report on PhotoVoice in Rwanda Report
This report outlines the activities for the SheVax project, including focus group discussions and photo voice pretesting. Outcomes are discussed and some challenges that were encountered are described. Author(s): SheVax+ Language: English |
PhotoVoice training of women farmers in Kola ward Report
The SheVax project is working with rural smallholder women farmers in Kola and Kalama wards to support and empower them on animal health and vaccination of chickens and goats. The project is also being carried out in two other East African countries, Rwanda and Uganda, who are also working with smallholder women farmers in their countries. The aim of the SheVax project is to help put smallholder women farmers in a position that they can contribute to, and benefit from, livestock vaccines; increase their participation in livestock vaccine distribution, delivery and use; target specific entry points for women along the vaccine value chain (VVC); and provide information to the county and national government that impact policy interventions. Author(s): SheVax+ Language: English |
SheVax+ : business entrepreneurship training manual Training Materials
The training aims at building women’s capacity to operate and expand their business in supplying and selling livestock vaccines and other animal health related products. The training manual will allow for training to be conducted with women agrovet owners regarding business entrepreneurship, as well as with women community vaccinators/community animal health service providers (CAHSP) in order to promote their position in the veterinary vaccine value chain (VVVC). This will help combat Newcastle Disease and Rift Valley Fever. The “SheVax+” project supports women’s agency in livestock vaccine distribution, delivery and use in Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya. Author(s): SheVax+ Language: English |
Raising chickens at home Training Materials
This is a lovely illustrated handbook about raising chickens using a cartoon graphic presentation. It is simple, readable, inviting, and provides basic information in a way that includes advice on raising chickens along with how to access vaccines and vaccine information. Author(s): SheVax+ Language: English |
PhotoVoice highlight photos from Rwanda Training Materials
This is a collection of photos taken during the PhotoVoice project in Rwanda. Author(s): SheVax+ Language: English |
Women smallholder farmers' engagement in the vaccine chain in Sembabule District, Uganda : barriers and opportunities Article
This paper explores women smallholder livestock farmers’ barriers to effective participation in the livestock vaccine value chain (LVVC) and strategies for optimising the use of vaccines against poultry (Newcastle disease), and goat diseases (Peste des Petits Ruminants) in Sembabule District, Uganda. Using the three domains of empowerment theory: intrinsic, instrumental, and collective agency combined with USAID’s gender analysis framework, we found that limited control over resources, and inadequate gender responsive policies hinder women’s participation. Self-help groups increased opportunity for livestock ownership, autonomy, and decision-making. Engagement of women in the LVVC, is an entry point for improved vaccine accessibility, and agency. Author(s): Tukahirwa, Lillian, Mugisha, Anthony, Kyewalabye, Elizabeth, Nsibirano, Ruth, Kabahango, Patricia Language: English |
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| Gender and women’s empowerment Training Materials
Author(s): SheVax+ Language: English |
| Indwara y'Ubuganga bwo mu Kibaya cya Rift Training Materials
Author(s): SheVax+ Language: rw |
2021-2022 calendar - Rwanda Brief
This calendar is made for those raising poultry in Rwanda. It contains colour coded stickers for participants to track all dates of vaccination, mortality, and illness in their livestock, as well as trainings they have received. Author(s): Tufts University Language: English |
Ubworozi bw'inkoko bukorewe murugo Training Materials
Author(s): lshushanyije, Inkuru Language: rw |
Kenya livestock vaccination calendar 2021-2022 in Swahili language Training Materials
Author(s): Tufts University Language: Swahili |
PhotoVoice highlight photos from Kenya Training Materials
This is a collection of photos taken during the PhotoVoice project in Kenya. Author(s): SheVax+ Language: English |
PhotoVoice highlight photos from Uganda Training Materials
This is a collection of photos taken during the PhotoVoice project in Uganda. Author(s): SheVax+ Language: English |
Rwanda livestock vaccination calendar in kinyarwanda language Training Materials
Author(s): Tufts University Language: rw |
2021-2022 calendar - Uganda Brief
This calendar is made for those raising poultry in Uganda. It contains colour coded stickers for participants to track all dates of vaccination, mortality, and illness in their livestock, as well as trainings they have received. Author(s): Tufts University Language: English |
SheVax+ : gender analysis and methodologies training manual 2019 Training Materials
This training manual is part of the SheVax+ project, used for gender analysis and methodologies training across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Women bear primary responsibility for caring for diseased animals, and rely on the income their livestock provides. The program identifies gaps and opportunities towards empowering women small holder farmers and entrepreneurs. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Five Domains of Gender Analysis Framework captures data related to multiple barriers that impede women from benefiting from livestock vaccines, such as lack of access and control over assets and resources, lack of extension services, and unreliable structures for vaccine delivery. Author(s): SheVax+ Language: English |
SheVax+ : gender awareness training manual - sessions 1- 4 gender awareness raising with stakeholders Training Materials
The SheVax+ project and its partners are testing models in specific sectors to increase vaccination against preventable diseases in livestock owned by women, and to expand the quality of participation and benefits for women throughout the veterinary vaccine value chain (VVVC) in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Gender awareness among stakeholders is an important component of SheVax+ theory of change. The four training sessions will enable individuals and organisations to plan specific actions to contribute to transformation of gender relations, through more inclusive delivery of training, inputs, opportunities, and communication. Detailed steps in the awareness raising process are provided. Author(s): Bagnol, Brigitte, Miller, Beth Language: English |
SheVax+ : participatory methodologies training manual Training Materials
Participatory methodologies emerged in response to the failure of ‘normal’ research and extension services to yield sustainable improvements to production and livelihoods in resource-limited, rural settings. The difficulties in intervening effectively in the complex and changing experiences of farmers and others involved in rural development has led to demand-led extension. The process involves tailoring information, advice and other extension services to the expressed demands of clients and users of the service. This manual includes SheVax+ modules to train livestock vaccine value chain stakeholders to successfully use qualitative participatory methods. Author(s): Bagnol, Brigitte Language: English |
Women empowerment in livestock index (WELI) baseline report - Uganda : key findings Study
Results in Uganda in relation to indicators of ‘instrumental agency’ show that women achieve adequacy in more indicators compared to men. The research/ survey addresses whether Women Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI) scores differ significantly from baseline to post intervention. WELI is a standardized survey tool to measure empowerment of women in the livestock sector at the level of the household and along the vaccination value chain (VVC). The survey is constructed so as to better understand levels of agency, empowerment and decision-making capacity of women within households. Author(s): Amuguni, Hellen Language: English |
Vaccine value chain baseline assessment report for Uganda Study
The aim of this assessment is to carry out a vaccine value chain (VVC) analysis, to determine if the VVC supports women’s empowerment and gender equality. It is part of a larger research project entitled “Hearing their voices: Action research to support women’s agency and empowerment in livestock vaccine distribution, delivery and use in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.” In Uganda, women mainly operate small-scale household agriculture and rear small ruminants (goats, pigs and sheep) and poultry. Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Newcastle Disease (NCD) are major contaminant diseases reducing productivity and income. This report covers the structure of the research, the survey framework and results. Author(s): Bikaako, Winnie, Yawe, Agnes, Kabahango, Patricia, Tukahirwa, Lillian, Kusiimakwe, Dean, Kyewalabye, Elizabeth, Mugisha, Anthony, Mugabi, Kenneth Language: English |
VVC analysis report : case study of NCD and RVF VVCs in Rwempasha and Rwimiyaga sectors of Nyagatare district - Rwanda Study
Removal of barriers to women’s involvement in livestock vaccine value chains (VVC) is associated with huge benefits. Women participate in animal raising especially for small livestock in households. Small livestock can quickly create income, as they mature fast and can be sold easily. This report provides details of the project in Rwanda. It analyzes the value chain from small producers to veterinarians and vaccine supply, including disease prevention and barriers associated with immunization. Researchers were trained in gender analysis and methodologies for data collection, outcome mapping and the Women’s Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI). Author(s): Niyitanga, Fidele, Majyambere, Denis, Kabarungi, Mary Language: English |
Women empowerment in livestock index (WELI) baseline report - Rwanda Study
Female respondents represent 79% of the sample; 82% from dual male-female adult households and 18% from female-adult only households. Overall, the results of the Women’s Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI) survey show that women face challenges in three of the indicators: work balance, self-efficacy, and being respected by household members. The average empowerment gap between women who do not achieve gender parity and the men in their households is 21%. The study finds that approximately 75% of the survey households achieved gender parity. The report provides a synopsis of the survey and findings. Author(s): Amuguni, Hellen Language: English |
Women empowerment in livestock index (WELI) baseline report - Kenya Study
The research/ survey addresses whether the Women Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI) percentage of indicators differ significantly from baseline to post intervention. WELI is a standardized survey tool that measures empowerment of women in the livestock sector at the level of the household and along the vaccination value chain (VVC). The survey is constructed so as to better understand levels of agency, empowerment and decision-making capacity of women within households. The report analyzes scores and the meaning of measurement indicators. In Kenya, the study found no significant association between empowerment scores and being knowledgeable about animal health, or between access to information regarding the vaccines. Author(s): Oduma, Jemimah, Kaluwa, Catherine, Onchaga, Sylvia Language: English |
Gender analysis report : case study of Rwempasha and Rwimiyaga sectors in Nyagatare district - Rwanda Study
This report focuses on the gender analysis in Rwempasha and Rwimiyaga sectors of Nyagatare district in Eastern Province of Rwanda. It generates information on gaps and opportunities that can be used to empower women smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs to contribute to and benefit from livestock vaccines thereby improving livestock production and their livelihoods. The information gathered can be scaled up and applied to other livestock vaccines and other regions in Rwanda and other countries. Author(s): Amuguni, Hellen, Mugisha, Anthony, Bikaako, Winnie, Stanley, Meghan, Yawe, Agnes Language: English |
SheVax+ : hearing their voices : action research to support women’s agency and empowerment in livestock vaccine distribution, delivery and use in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya - barriers and opportunities for women’s participation in the small animal… Brief
In Africa, small livestock are one of the assets women are allowed to own, take control over, and sell to meet their financial needs. Newcastle disease (ND) is a major constraint in the sector due to frequent outbreaks and despite intensive vaccinations. A vaccine value chain analysis was carried out in both Nairobi and Machakos. The efficacy of the vaccine depends on its proper handling. Most times, this is the point where vaccine quality and efficacy has been compromised (breaking the cold chain). Outcome mapping was used to identify critical boundary partners. Long distance to vaccine distribution points was another barrier to vaccine access for most farmers. Author(s): Oduma, Jemimah, Kaluwa, Catherine, Muchibi, John, Bagnol, Brigitte, Abdullahi, Faduma, Nkatha, Jeanette, Opondo, Angela, Kitoga, David Lucky Language: English |
SheVax+ : hearing their voices : action research to support women’s agency and empowerment in livestock vaccine distribution, delivery and use in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya - vaccine value chain baseline assessment report for Uganda Brief
The study focuses on vaccine value chain (VVC) analysis in Uganda towards generating evidence and strategies that help position women so they can contribute to and benefit from livestock vaccines. It provides a baseline assessment of conditions, including a VVC analysis focusing on Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Newcastle Disease (NCD) to determine if the VVC supports women’s empowerment and gender equality. Studies inclusive of women farmers indicate that these livestock vaccination programs are likely to succeed. 752 million of the world’s poor keep livestock to produce food, generate income, and build assets, with women representing two-thirds (~400 million people). Author(s): Mugisha, Anthony, Kyewalabye, Elizabeth, Tukahirwa, Lillian, Kabahango, Patricia, Kusiimakwe, Dean, Mugabi, Kenneth, Bikaako, Winnie, Yawe, Agnes Language: English |
SheVax+ : hearing their voices : action research to support women’s agency and empowerment in livestock vaccine distribution, delivery and use in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya - a gender analysis and baseline assessment report for Uganda Brief
The project provided a baseline assessment of barriers and opportunities to women’s participation and benefits in the livestock vaccine value chain in Sembabule (Uganda). This policy brief reports on the project structure, details of the study, and results in terms of next steps and recommendations. Women are household major contributors in the agricultural economy but face various constraints that limit them from achieving optimal livestock production and agricultural development. Small livestock such as goats, sheep and poultry are especially important for women. However, the value chains that women are working within, such as in informal trading, processing or service provision, are often given low value. Author(s): Mugisha, Anthony, Kyewalabye, Elizabeth, Tukahirwa, Lillian, Kabahango, Patricia, Kusiimakwe, Dean, Bikaako, Winnie, Yawe, Agnes, Mugabi, Kenneth Language: English |