Abstract:
Our main focus was to compare three selected value chains (fish, banana and
cinnamon) to identify women's status in each value chain as the chain actor, activity
integrator, chain partner and chain co-owner. The specific objectives were to select
gender sensitive value chain(s) and to develop empowerment strategies to enhance
women’s status in each value chain. Rapid market chain analysis was adopted and
interviewer administered pre-tested questionnaires, in-depth interviews with key
informants and focus group discussions were used as key data collection tools and
research was conducted in the Embilipitiya, Matara. Ratnapura and Kalutara
districts. Producers (farmers/fishermen) and intermediaries (auctioneers, traders,
collectors, wholesalers, different retailers, consumers etc.) of each value chain were
considered for the sample as follows; 50 banana farmers and 50 intermediaries, 40
cinnamon farmers and 40 intermediaries and 25 fishermen and 75 intermediaries.
Chain Empowerment Matrix was developed based on the activities and power
within the value chain, on activities and power within the household and within
society as a whole. Chi-square test confirmed significant associations between
gender and income for fish and cinnamon value chains. There was no significant
association found between gender and income for banana value chain. Female
involvement in the fishery value chain was identified as chain actors and activity
integrators while females attached to cinnamon value chain were recognized as
activity integrators. Female participation in banana value chain was poor and
consequently their status was not clearly defined. Fish and cinnamon value chains
were discovered as gender sensitive value chains. Transformation of the traditional
household caretaker role of women to business caretaker role through strong
capacity building programs, developing chain partnerships through sensitization of
men, encouragement of women’s participation in decision-making through
strengthening the organizational capacity of women’s group, creating opportunities
to co-own enterprises through building direct linkages with other chain actors
(including consumer markets) were identified as the empowerment strategies to
enhance women’s position in the respective value chains.
