Gender inclusive distribution systems for smallholder farmers in Kenya

Poultry and small ruminants improve women’s purchasing power and household food security, but women are hindered from accessing and using livestock vaccines by barriers such as low awareness, high acquisition costs, accessibility, and unequal gender relations. These barriers put their livestock at risk of contracting diseases like peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and Newcastle disease (ND), which threatens women’s livelihoods. 

Understanding the constraints to women’s vaccine adoption

ND and PPR vaccines have made important technological gains, but if women are to benefit from these vaccines and their subsequent implementation strategies, it is crucial to develop an understanding of the economic and socio-cultural barriers that hinder women’s use of vaccines, as well as the factors that promote their adoption.

An action research approach

Qualitative methods such as participatory mapping, focus groups and interviews, quantitative household surveys, and gender analysis will be used to describe the gender-based constraints and opportunities/actions of distribution and delivery systems, adoption, and use of ND and PPR vaccines. An intervention phase will follow that will test whether technical and gender educational components of vaccine delivery can address gender-based constraints and social norms that prevent women from accessing, using, and benefiting from livestock vaccines, as well as address vaccine awareness and access.

Expected results

The key outcomes from this project will be increased access and control over small ruminant and poultry resources for women and a greater voice in decision-making at the household and community level, particularly related to disease identification and vaccine selection and administration. This project will generate several innovative outputs, including a working model for vaccine delivery that enhances knowledge, access, and use of vaccines among smallholder farmers, especially women; curricula and training packages; and policy briefs to engage county-level and national stakeholders.

Lead institutions

This project is a collaboration between the University of Nairobi’s Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, the Cooperative University of Kenya, and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).

• Duration: 36 months
• Budget: CA$1.55 million