Zambia’s agricultural sector has long struggled with gender disparities, particularly in rural areas where women face significant barriers to accessing agricultural information. Despite their critical role in food production, women remain underrepresented in agricultural advisory services, a trend that is prevalent across Sub-Saharan Africa and globally. To address this, the Atubandike initiative, part of the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I), is working to break down these gender barriers by equipping women as digital champions and promoting gender equity through community-driven solutions.
Atubandike, which means “Let’s Chat” in Tonga, focuses on increasing women’s representation in Zambia’s agricultural advisory sector. This is achieved through initiatives that center on gender-inclusive seed systems and climate-smart agricultural practices. By training both men and women as digital champions, Atubandike is creating a more equitable agricultural environment. These digital champions serve as community-based agricultural advisors, providing essential information and advice to farmers.
In November 2023 and July 2024, Atubandike facilitated community consultations in Zambia’s Southern Province, engaging over 1,700 farmers. These discussions revealed the deeply ingrained gender biases that limit women’s access to agricultural advisory services. Many female agricultural advisors face cultural stereotypes that undermine their authority and technical skills. Some participants expressed the belief that women are subordinates to men and, therefore, less capable of providing valuable advice. This sentiment was not only held by men but also by some women farmers, who preferred male advisors, believing that women could not offer useful information.
These biases reflect a broader issue in agricultural advisory services across Sub-Saharan Africa, where gender disparities limit women farmers’ access to critical information. Agricultural advisory services are often designed with men as the primary beneficiaries, overlooking the needs of women. The predominance of male extension agents in many regions further exacerbates this issue, particularly in societies where cultural norms restrict interactions between men and women outside the family. As a result, women are often excluded from opportunities to fully participate in agricultural development, which hinders their potential and perpetuates poverty and inequality.
Despite these challenges, the consultations also uncovered positive perspectives on female advisors. Some community members recognized the unique strengths that women bring to agricultural advisory roles. Female advisors were seen as more careful and approachable, often focusing on technical knowledge rather than personal experience. This insight suggests that, with increased exposure and trust, female advisors could become more accepted and valued in their communities.
The Atubandike approach aims to tackle these gender biases head-on by promoting gender equity and social inclusion. One of the key components of the initiative is its focus on community engagement, which encourages open dialogue and collective action. Through these discussions, Atubandike helps communities confront existing biases and develop practical solutions to overcome them. The initiative also provides training on gender, diversity, and inclusion, equipping digital champions with the skills needed to challenge gender stereotypes and promote social equity.
A crucial element of Atubandike’s success is its commitment to increasing female representation in agricultural advisory roles. The initiative ensures that at least 50% of the digital champions are women, which helps to raise their visibility and influence in the sector. By featuring women prominently in digital content and on talk shows, Atubandike is reshaping perceptions of women as agricultural leaders, breaking down the negative stereotypes that have historically sidelined them.
Community members also contributed valuable insights into how to overcome the barriers faced by female advisors. Raising awareness about the value of female advisors was identified as a key strategy for promoting their acceptance. Many participants emphasized the importance of building trust in female advisors, suggesting that communities should start by placing their trust in them. This could encourage other communities to follow suit and support female advisors.
Participants also highlighted the need for mutual respect between agricultural advisors and the communities they serve. It was suggested that both male and female advisors must demonstrate their competence by practicing the agricultural technologies they promote. Wearing uniforms to distinguish advisors as professionals was also proposed as a way to enhance their credibility and authority.
Atubandike stands as a model for inclusive agricultural development, not just in Zambia, but across Southern Africa. By addressing the root causes of gender bias and fostering community-driven solutions, the initiative is creating a more equitable agricultural landscape. Through empowering female digital champions and promoting gender-sensitive approaches, Atubandike is proving that meaningful change is possible. This initiative is a testament to the potential of inclusive development and serves as a blueprint for other regions seeking to promote gender equity in agriculture.
