1. Integrating Gender in Food Security Programming: The Feed the Future Initiative Sylvia Cabus USAID/Bureau for Food Security November 2011

2. the U.S. governments global hunger and food security initiative ...the United States is leading an effort to reach out to people around the world who are suffering, to provide them immediate assistance and to extend support for food security that will help them lift themselves out of poverty. All of us must join together in this effort, not just because it is right, but because by providing assistance to those countries most in need, we will provide new markets, we will drive the growth of the future that lifts all of us up. President Barack Obama 2 3. About Feed the Future Feed the Future pursues two paths: Addressing the root causes of hunger that limit the potential of millions of people; and Establishing a lasting foundation for change by aligning our resources with country-owned strategies and supporting local capacity. Key Objectives Inclusive Agriculture Sector Growth Improve Nutritional Status Cross cutting Priorities Global Research and Innovation Gender Natural Resources/Climate Consideration 3 4. Gender in FTF Evidence-based responses (SOFA 2011, etc.) Policies and programs make a difference Good agricultural policy must consider gender differences Ensure equality for women under the law Invest in the human capital of women and girls Address the multiple constraints of women in agriculture holistically Provide public services and technologies to free up womens time 4 5. ADS Guidelines USAID regulations Policy Task Team to develop new policy on Gender Equality and Womens Empowerment (Fall 2011) Gender Integration at USAID 5 6. Successes and Best Practices Measuring Feed the Futures Gender Impact and the Womens Empowerment in Agriculture Index Womens role in household decision-making around agricultural production Womens access to productive capital Womens income Womens leadership roles within the community Womens labor time allocations 6 7. Successes and Best Practices Leadership: African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Two-year fellowships Fellows increase their contributions to the fight against hunger and poverty in sub- Saharan Africa Mentoring relationships 7 8. Successes and Best Practices Nutrition: USAID and HKI/Nepal Improved techniques for homestead production of micronutrient-rich vegetables and poultry together with optimal infant, young child and maternal nutrition practices for over 13,000 HH Mothers produce nutritious foods for their families and many have overcome traditional beliefs that eggs are dirty and cause diarrhea in children 8 9. Successes and Best Practices Policy: USAID and Catholic Relief Services/Mali Creation of savings and lending groups Women members borrow from their savings fund to conduct small income-generating activities such as peanut or millet production Both men and women members receive training in functional literacy, microenterprise development, management, marketing, health, and nutrition 9 10. Successes and Best Practices Technology and Innovation: USAID and CGIAR/Zambia Addresses constraints faced by women farmers, offering extension services and training to womens groups, schools, and community health systems In 2010, almost half of those who attended USAID-supported rural fairs were women 10 11. Successes and Best Practices Promoting Innovation and Scale-up Innovations in Gender Equality to Promote Household Food Security Funding opportunity Gender equality and womens empowerment in the agriculture sector 11 12. Lessons Learned Guidance reinforced by training, awareness Anticipate/expect external issues Implementing partners need as much (or more) support/guidance than mission Identify/support gender focal points capacity-building Integrating gender from outset AND identifying opportunities at different stages of project cycle Back up technical support with human and financial resources Reinforce links with nutrition, climate change, land tenure, and other important themes Availability of resources in different formats, languages Stay tuned. 12 13. Thank you!