Women play a central role in agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. However their contributions to agricultural productivity at the household, community and national levels are limited by a diverse range of social and economic constraints that vary by crop and local context. Overcoming gender-related barriers requires innovative and practical solutions informed by a context-specific understanding of “how to” initiate and sustain gender transformative change in agriculture.
To help foster a deeper understanding and application of gender integration, ICRW, in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) is implementing a pilot program to develop a community of practice among agriculture practitioners in Tanzania. This forum provides a space for peers to share knowledge and experiences in addressing gender within their work, creating a sustainable platform for technical support, problem-solving and new ideas on gender and agriculture. Ultimately, this enhanced capacity will allow practitioners to increase the productivity and incomes of small-scale women and men farmers engaged in their projects.
The community of practice, named Tanzania Gender and Agriculture Forum (TaGAF) by its members, was launched in March 2012 and is comprised of interested BMGF grantees, as well as other agriculture and gender practitioners and resource persons currently working in Tanzania. With 45 members to date, TaGAF uses workshops, technical briefs and an online platform to facilitate interactions and peer learning and sharing.

A new report from the Brookings Institution holds up ICRW’s continuing evaluation role in Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. program as an important ingredient for its successful expansion.