“There is still something missing”: comparing a gender-sensitive and gender-transformative approach in Burundi

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a comparative perspective on a gender-transformative model for gender equality, versus a gender-sensitive approach, both of which were integrated into a gender and agriculture development intervention in Burundi. The gender-transformative approach followed an iterative cycle of critical reflection and action to analyze gender inequalities and build women’s solidarity and collective action. It also engaged men equally in the processes of critical reflection and action. The participants found that the gender-sensitive approach initiated some important community discussions about gender, but participants in the gender-transformative approach spoke about farther-reaching and potentially more sustainable gender norm changes. This paper presents qualitative findings on participants’ perceptions of change and discusses the implications for implementing community-led, gender-transformative approaches in the agriculture sector.

KEYWORDS:

• gender-transformative approaches
• scaling gender norms change
• engaging men
• Burundi

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 These practices included the SASA! model to address GBV, as well as a Burundian, community-led approach to engaging men against gender-based violence, called the Abatangamuco model.

2 For more on CARE Burundi’s “Abatangamuco” approach to men’s engagement, see: Wallacher, Hilde. 2012. Engaging Men – The Abatangamuco and Women’s Empowerment in Burundi. Oslo: PRIO.

3 At the end of the intervention, staff of all of the implementing partners were provided with the full training on the GTA approach and reflected on their own observations of changes and personal changes. While the analysis of staff personal transformations is not the core of this study, findings from a focus group discussion with staff are included at the end of this analysis.

4 Source: Costs and Benefits of Applying a Gender-Transformative Approach in Agriculture Programming: Evaluating the Ekata Model in Burundi, CARE 2021.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Notes on contributors

Emily Hillenbrand

Emily Hillenbrand is a PhD Candidate in Development Sociology at Cornell University, USA. She has over 12 years' experience in development practice working on gender-transformative approaches and their measurement. Her research interests include evolving marriage practices, construction of masculinities, and changing perceptions of gender in Africa. She is currently conducting dissertation research in Burundi and Malawi with a focus on the processes of shifting masculinities within GTA approaches. Email: [email protected].

Pranati Mohanraj

Pranati Mohanraj, PhD is Deputy Director, Gender Youth and Livelihoods Team, Food and Water Systems Unit, CARE USA. She provides technical and thought leadership for development and establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems for livelihood programs focusing on women's empowerment and gender equality. Her research interests focus on women's studies and gender transformative change. Her work life spans engaging with country level government departments as well as providing technical support and guidance to countries across Africa, Asia, the Pacific and Central America. She has a PhD in Women's Studies and Masters' degree in Social Work. Email: [email protected].

Jemimah Njuki

Jemimah Njuki, PhD. is the Chief, Economic Empowerment at UN Women in New York. She is a recognized leader on gender equality and women's empowerment, having directed global initiatives promoting women's economic empowerment. Jemimah previously worked at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) as the Director for Africa, where she worked with African governments and key stakeholders to develop evidence for transformative policy change. E-mail: [email protected].

Domitille Ntakobakinvuna

Domitille Ntakobakinvuna is MEAL Specialist for Gender and Women's Empowerment Programming in CARE Burundi. She has pioneered and helped to scale up many of the gender-transformative approaches within CARE Burundi, including the men's engagement approach, and the “belle colline” model for scaling up holistic community-led empowerment programs. Email: [email protected].

Abinet Tasew Sitotaw

Abinet Tasew Sitotaw is Senior Gender and Livelihoods Advisor, Food and Water Systems-Gender Youth and Livelihoods Team with CARE USA. Email: [email protected].