1. Gender and value chains
Presentation of paper prepared for UN FAO SOFA 2010
Christopher Coles and Jonathan Mitchell

2. Introduction
Brief introduction to VC analysis and development and the study
What we know about gender and value chains: desk and action research
How we intervene: value chain development
The implications for policy and practice
Summary

3. Value chain analysis the diagnosis
Is holistic
chain wide approach to ID of action points from design & input supply to consumption
deals with everyone men and women
Looks for win-win interventions need to be economically viable to be sustainable

4. Value chain development the solution
Applies upgrading strategies to actors
Process and product: improving efficiency and quality
Functional: who does what
Horizontal coordination: within functional nodes
Vertical coordination: between nodes
Chain: moving to a new chain using existing skills
Enabling environment
Policy, law, institutions, support organisations
Projects tend to be short-term, narrowly focussed and prioritise quick wins

5. What determines how and where men and women participate in VCs?
Access to factors of production

• Which functions? Women in lower margin activities/VCs, including secondary roles
• 6. Role of risk
• 7. Male appropriation
• 8. Women involved throughout chains, often beyond production (e.g. fisheries)
• 9. Which VCs?
• 10. Taboos & traditional norms culture
• 11. perceived value e.g. local vs. export
• 12. Contextual differences (within a VC)