THEME: Extension services for women are effective and sustainable if adapted to the socio-cultural context. In the eighties, when IFAD began to target activities to women in Yemen, sociocultural suspicions were common. A 1997 IFAD study found that this is no longer was so great a problem, particularly where new villages were already aware of similar activities nearby. This gives credibility to the initiative and helps to reduce fear of innovation for the area people. Not surprising, in Yemen, extension services for women need to rely on dedicated female extension agents. Where possible, projects have recruited and trained local women. Once trained, their retention by programmes has not been a problem. Frequently, extension activities follow a modified Training and Visit (T&V) approach along the following lines: The extension agent first contacts the village shaykh to explain the planned activities to him and to get his permission to perform extension within the village. The shaykh then arranges for the first meeting of the rural women, in some cases in his own home. The approach legitimizes both the agent and the activities. Sometimes several extension agents (as many as four) go to villages together. Most extension agents first assess the needs and priorities of the women. They then plan their activities accordingly. Once they come to know the village women, the extension agents select a woman leader, or Gaida, in each village on the basis of her popularity and respected position. The Gaida is then trained by the extension agents to become the link between them and the village women. She disseminates information, helps with visits and provides advice in the absence of the extension agents. For meetings, women in some areas prefer to meet in a villager’s home rather than in a special centre allocated for the purpose. Sometimes, the meetings continue in the shaykh’s home, with the shaykh’s wife providing any needed materials for home economics or other activities. Elsewhere, women’s centres exist, and seem to be acceptable to the villagers. Many extension agents make use of audio-visual aids to attract the women and to help in teaching. They may take with them videotapes, a TV, VCR, generator and print materials. As in many countries, transport appears to be a common constraint on the effectiveness of the system. Transportation constraints have been found to result in extension agents waiting, frustrated, at the centre or in their conducting only occasional visits to villages (for instance, once a month). Where they have transport, extension agents sometimes visit villages as frequently as twice a week, which is much more desirable. Extension for Yemeni women can cover a variety of topics, such as: literacy, health and nutrition education, livestock management and/or health, vegetable production, forestry and sewing. Women seem to regard sewing as a very desirable activity. Even though they may never produce for the marketplace, it allows them to sew clothing for themselves and their children at considerable savings. Care has to be taken everywhere to avoid antagonizing religious extremists or household heads. Such antagonism can result in complete destruction of any gains, as has happened in some villages where learning centres have been destroyed and women intimidated. The extension services described are a good example of adjusting an approach to the sociocultural situation. Working through male village leaders is one of the key elements of the strategy. Obtaining their support is particularly important where contacts with women are not easy and need to be sustained over the longer term. Adapted from: Hashem, Mouna H. 1997. Thematic Study on Rural Women Development in Yemen: Lessons Learned from IFAD, Government and other Donors’ Experiences with Gender Issues. Rome: IFAD. |
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