FIELD Report No. 11: Behavior Change Perspectives on Gender and Value Chain Development

Abstract

Upgrading involves innovations or investments within a value chain that respond to changing market conditions and new market opportunities to maintain the competitiveness of that value chain. Analyzing the current behaviors of men and women offers a window for identifying gender-based constraints to upgrading, and approaches to promoting upgrading activities that are inclusive of and benefit both men and women. The tools presented in this report are designed to study how gender affects three categories of behavior related to upgrading: money management, business practices, and value chain relationships. These tools can be drawn upon to design future research on gendered behaviors in value chains. They include examples of focus group discussion guides and individual interview guides. This report also provides an example of a research plan that guided field work on this topic in Ghana (in the citrus value chain) and Kenya (in the sweet potato value chain). A research plan is important for communicating with field partners and organizing data collection. Lastly, the tools include a facilitation guide for a consultation workshop with field partners to introduce them to the objectives and design of research on gender constraints to value chain upgrading, and to solicit their inputs and suggestions.