| dc.description.abstract | Value chain development in post conflict countries should not only deal with the technical
issues of the value chain, but with women’s gender needs, and even more critically
understand and address their vulnerabilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the
vulnerabilities of women involved in a bean value chain development intervention at the
Maendeloe Innovation Platform in Eastern DRC. Specifically, the paper first discusses the
roles of women and men in the value chain, what production resources and benefits they
access and control, the role of the IP as a vehicle for women’s empowerment, and identifies
women’s gender needs. Secondly, the paper identifies women’s vulnerabilities, and the
capacities that the IP could build on, to support their participation in bean value chain
development. Using gender analysis tools, the study shows that in addition to the lack of
control of productive resources, household assets and the benefits of their labour, women
have been traumatized by the rampant sexual violation and gender-based violence in the
region. The innovation platform should consider including legal, mental health and psycho social counselling service providers as stakeholders in its activities to develop the bean
value chain. | en_US |
