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Communities' perceptions of changes in income, women's empowerment and nutrition as a result of participating in Feed the Future activities in Rwanda
Author(s) -
Gewa Constance,
Clark Samantha,
Titus Sarah
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.lb414
Subject(s) - empowerment , livelihood , agriculture , business , consumption (sociology) , economic growth , purchasing , food security , socioeconomics , political science , geography , marketing , economics , sociology , social science , archaeology
While the potential of agricultural production to improve women's and children's nutrition has been recognized, there is still limited understanding of the specific pathways through which USAID‐funded Feed the Future value chains can positively impact nutritional status in vulnerable households. The current study was conducted to document the process and progress made by two Rwanda‐based Feed the Future activities, the Integrated Improved Livelihoods Program (IILP) and the Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Program II (RDCP II), in working along agriculture‐to nutrition pathways. Specifically, we explored how increases in income, as a result of participating in Feed the Future activities, changed purchasing and consumption patterns and how engagement in the activities affected care‐seeking and care‐giving practices and women's empowerment. Interviews and discussions were conducted with activity staff and beneficiaries and, community leaders in three districts of Rwanda. Quantitative data were summarized into means and percentages. Qualitative data were coded into specific themes. Study results indicate a general improvement in program beneficiaries' income, crop production, and women's empowerment. Despite the positive trend, IILP and RDCP II face challenges that may hinder further movement along the agriculture‐to‐nutrition pathways, including demands on women's time and energy use, low consumption of animal‐sourced foods, targeting children's nutrition within the first 1,000 days, and monitoring nutrition indicators. The research highlights gaps that need to be addressed to further improve women and children's nutrition in Rwanda.