How internationally funded NGOs promote gender equality in horticulture value chains in Kenya

Abstract

This article contributes to the literature on global value chains by examining how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) promote gender equality. NGOs have been instrumental in setting social standards that seek to institutionalise gender-sensitive governance structures. However, relatively little is known about their roles in doing so. Using in-depth empirical research on the Women@Work Campaign in the cut-flower sector in Kenya, the article examines how a coalition of Kenyan NGOs and an international NGO push for gender equality in global value chains. While the Kenyan NGOs do most of the actual work on the ground, the international NGO uses its position to facilitate and empower the local NGOs to do their work. Yet, we see that funding conditions hamper the local NGOs’ efforts to promote gender equality. Overall, our analysis highlights that NGOs fulfil important roles in promoting gender equality in horticulture value chains but the requirements of the international aid system act as a constraint.

Keywords:

• Gender equality
• social upgrading
• NGOs
• global value chains (GVCs)
• cut-flower sector
• Kenya

Acknowledgements

We thank the participants in this study for their valuable time and discussions. We are also grateful to Paul Kamau and Vincent Mugo Kamau for their assistance in this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NWO-WOTRO under the project ‘Supporting the Political Role of Civil Society Organisations for Inclusive Development’ (File Number: W 08.311.103).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NWO-WOTRO under the project ‘Supporting the Political Role of Civil Society Organisations for Inclusive Development’ (File Number: W 08.311.103).

Notes on contributors

Emmanuel Kumi

Emmanuel Kumi is a research fellow at the Centre for Social Policy Studies, University of Ghana. His research focuses on civil society organisations, lobby and advocacy, NGO management, African philanthropy, civic space, and the political economy of development.

Willem Elbers

Willem Elbers is Lecturer of Gender and Diversity Studies at Radboud University. His research focuses on civil society organisations, lobby and advocacy, partnerships and disability-inclusive development.