Transforming the vaccine delivery system for chickens and goats in Ghana: what approaches and what benefits for women?

The main goal of this project has been to increase the use of vaccines by women smallholder livestock farmers and enhance their ability to benefit from healthier livestock, improved livelihoods, and increased empowerment. Having already conducted a quantitative baseline survey in 2019 prior to the start of the project, the project needed to conduct an end-line study to examine the connection between gender norms transformation, women’s empowerment, and access to livestock vaccines.

The Women Rear project aims to contribute evidence to influence practice and policy for a gender-responsive vaccine delivery system. This workshop was a hybrid; in-person and virtual with about 50 participants comprising donor representatives, implementing partners, project beneficiaries, government officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and officials from the Veterinary Services Directorate/Department, staff members of CARE Ghana, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders.

Welcome to the VORMIS (Vaccination and Outbreak Response Management Information System) Training Manual. This guide aims to help users understand and effectively utilize the VORMIS platform, a revolutionary tool designed to streamline livestock health management and respond more efficiently to disease outbreaks. This training manual aims to equip all users with the skills and knowledge to effectively use VORMIS for maximum impact. The guide will provide a step-by-step process of how to use each of the features of VORMIS, with examples and images to make it easier to understand. Through this guide, we hope to empower each of you to take an active role in improving the health of our livestock population and ensuring the success of our farming community.

In Ghana, chickens and goats are critical for households’ food and nutrition security. They are especially important for women livestock farmers, who can access them more easily that other assets like land. Preventable diseases in chickens and goats cause high mortality of the animals, negatively affecting women’s livelihoods. Although vaccines are available, women are limited from accessing them by cultural and traditional practices. They have low awareness about vaccines, find them too expensive, are unable to interact with male vets, and have poor access to the cold chain infrastructure. The Women Rear Project built evidence on what approaches lead to women’s inclusion in vaccine delivery and benefit them.