Community conversations: a tool to improve livestock production and gender equality

In the 9 months of the project to date, changes have been observed. In relations to division of labor, community conversations have led to changes in attitudes and perceptions of community members about gender roles. For example, in Doyogena (a district, or woreda, in Ethiopia), an elderly man reflected, “If it were not for masculinity behavior, men can participate in any domestic activity”. He appealed to his fellow men to consult one another, decide together and share domestic roles in their households. In Menz (another wordea) a male participant reflected that “it is a thing of the past to order women to do domestic activities while you sit.”

Since the CC, in Menz, some women have taught male household members how to cook and bake njera (traditional food). Men also reported that women have shown willingness to learn how to plough. For example, a male participant in Menz Mama (one of the kebeles/villages) was approached by a woman to teach her how to plough and he taught her.

Community Conversations have facilitated information sharing and social learning among community groups. People have used informal spaces to share information from their conversations. Community members recognized the importance of women having access to information and attending meetings and training events.

Testimonies from community members reveal changes in handling practices for zoonotic risks as well. One of the male participants in Menz remarked: “I was not aware of the consequences of drinking raw milk. I will stop drinking raw milk. When my cow or sheep gave birth, I used to hold the calf or lamb close to my chest. I didn’t know that this could expose me to diseases. I will now use gloves when I assist births. I have decided to buy and use gloves, boots and masks during cleaning of barns and handling of sick animals and attending births.”

Community members now recognize the importance of animal health. They now realize that the key to healthy animals is in improving animal management practices. In Menz, the community conversations created more demand for animal health services and participants decided to organize themselves to get animal health services such as deworming and vaccination of dogs and sheep. “The health of our animals is also our health. By spending some money on protective materials and vaccination and deworming of our animals, we can gain in animal productivity and reduce animal loss due to diseases”.