An assessment of Extension/ Advisory Methods to Reach Rural Women in India and Bangladesh
November 13, 2019041
This
study undertaken in collaboration with the Glasgow Caledonian
University was commissioned by the MEAS (Modernizing Extension and
Advisory Services) Programme. This study was based on a meta-comparison
of existing extension engagement methods and its evidence of impact on
women.
Five
case studies were conducted in India to provide evidence of some of the
extension approaches identified, specifically to determine what is
working, why, and what the limitations are to scaling up. The case
studies focused on use of ICTs, social mobilization, use of
para-extension workers, and group approaches. What is working for rural
women are approaches that consider demand driven bottom-up planning,
wider linkages and support structures, long-term commitments for
capacity development, trust, recognizing women’s roles, and providing
women with ownership and responsibilities. Despite these successes,
there is evidence that suggests there remains a need for ensuring that
utilized approaches have an understanding of the local
context/environment, and are not target-based, but based on needs and
are supply-driven. This is the only way to ensure that women are not
seen as just recipients or beneficiaries of programs but rather as an
integral part of a process of change and reform.
This
study undertaken in collaboration with the Glasgow Caledonian
University was commissioned by the MEAS (Modernizing Extension and
Advisory Services) Programme. This study was based on a meta-comparison
of existing extension engagement methods and its evidence of impact on
women.
Five
case studies were conducted in India to provide evidence of some of the
extension approaches identified, specifically to determine what is
working, why, and what the limitations are to scaling up. The case
studies focused on use of ICTs, social mobilization, use of
para-extension workers, and group approaches. What is working for rural
women are approaches that consider demand driven bottom-up planning,
wider linkages and support structures, long-term commitments for
capacity development, trust, recognizing women’s roles, and providing
women with ownership and responsibilities. Despite these successes,
there is evidence that suggests there remains a need for ensuring that
utilized approaches have an understanding of the local
context/environment, and are not target-based, but based on needs and
are supply-driven. This is the only way to ensure that women are not
seen as just recipients or beneficiaries of programs but rather as an
integral part of a process of change and reform.
In
Bangladesh case studies were conducted on five approaches to reaching
rural women. These are: creating a social infrastructure (e.g., union
federations), value chain development, SHGs (e.g., for thrift and
credit), ICTs, and women extension workers. The creation of strong
social organizations is central to reaching rural women, e.g., through
the formation of union federations and using groups approaches like FFS
for training and building entrepreneurial skills. This approach seems to
have a degree of flexibility and is participatory. There is also
evidence to suggest that ICTs have the potential to reach rural women.
The case studies highlight that reaching rural women effectively
requires long-term presence, commitment in terms of human and financial
resources, and the engagement of a number of stakeholders. The case
studies also show that much of the initiatives being implemented via
these approaches heavily depend on the resources and ability of women
farmers to adapt.
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