Women are present in all stages of global value chains, but their contributions are mostly invisible and under-appreciated. Women disproportionately work in the informal sector of agricultural value chains, or their work is attributed to male heads of households who are socially accepted as ‘farmers’ where women are ‘farmers’ wives’. Their work arrangements are often irregular, informal, part-time, low-skilled, and labour intensive, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination. Despite this, women’s contributions are inextricable from agricultural value chains which are imperative to the livelihoods of women worldwide.
Together with CIFOR-ICRAF the Sustainable Agriculture in Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) Project works on a training of trainers module for actors at the beginning of value chains to make their work more sustainable and inclusive. In response to these challenges, the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Training of Trainers (GESI+ ToT) was held from April 23 to 25 in Altamira, Brazil. The workshop gathered 37 representatives from local partner institutions, farmers’ cooperatives, municipal government agencies, and the private sector.
The training aimed to build technical capacities for integrating gender equity and social inclusion into sustainable agricultural development—particularly within cocoa and livestock value chains—while addressing the compliance demands of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Over three days, participants engaged in intersectional analysis, explored regulatory frameworks as tools for inclusion, and co-developed strategies to support smallholder farmers.
Key Insights from the Three-day Workshop
Day One: Gender and Stereotype Analysis
The first day set the tone with a deep exploration of gender norms and stereotypes in agricultural contexts. Participants used interactive frameworks to analyze how traits traditionally associated with men, such as dominance and emotional restraint, can shape leadership and decision-making in agricultural systems. Meanwhile, stereotypes portraying women as caregivers or detail-focused were examined for how they affect women’s roles in production and trade. Through mapping gender-differentiated roles in cocoa and livestock value chains, the group identified key barriers faced by women and marginalized groups, setting the foundation for strategies to overcome inequities and promote broader inclusion.
Day Two: Regulatory Compliance and Risk Assessment
On the second day, the focus shifted to understanding the market requirements, such as the EUDR and its implications for sustainable agriculture in Brazil. Participants explored legal frameworks, liability, and traceability systems, while emphasizing how compliance requirements can support social inclusion.
Real-life case studies from the cocoa and livestock sectors illustrated the intersection between regulatory due diligence and equitable development. By analyzing how EUDR can mitigate risks for vulnerable groups, participants recognized the potential to transform compliance challenges into tools for advancing sustainability and inclusion.
Day Three: Action Planning and Scalable Solutions
The final day emphasized action planning and developing scalable solutions. Participants co-created strategies to empower smallholder farmers while addressing gender disparities, guided by the principles of “Do No Harm” and “Do Better.” Participatory evaluation methods were introduced to ensure interventions are inclusive, adaptable, and driven by stakeholder feedback. Emphasis was placed on scalability, with discussions on replicating the workshop’s outcomes through community-level training and institutional capacity building. Practical tools were shared to help track progress and prioritize impactful interventions.
Many participants learned new things that they believe will be useful, such as participatory methodological tools, traceability, risk concepts, gender inclusion within traditional communities, GESI (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion), EUDR legislation, and environmental compliance. They appreciated the flexible and relatable presentation of concepts, the sharing of ideas about gender, and the proficiency gained in using tools for value creation and risk mitigation. They felt better prepared to share their enhanced knowledge with others and gained new insights into value chain development and engaging with producers.
As the training will be piloted further and lessons learned are implemented in the upcoming trainings, suggestions for improvement included increasing the number of applicable tools, allocating more time for discussions and questions, deeper exploration of topics, and the involvement of more farmers and government officials for discussions on land regularization. Overall, participants appreciated the participatory nature and organization of the training but suggested extending timeframes for a more thorough exploration.
A Holistic Path Forward
This workshop showcased a holistic approach to sustainable development—one that integrates technical and social dimensions to build more inclusive, equitable, and resilient agricultural value chains. By pairing gender analysis with regulatory frameworks like the EUDR, participants discussed solutions that promote both environmental integrity and social justice.
Ultimately, the GESI+ ToT in Altamira strengthened local capacity, deepened institutional collaboration, and reaffirmed the vital role of inclusive planning in achieving long-term sustainability for Brazil’s cocoa and livestock sectors. The next workshop will be piloted in Ecuador – from August 5th to 8th in Coca, Orellana – focusing on the cocoa and coffee sectors. Another pilot in Indonesia is planned in September 2025, with more details to come. These initiatives present promising opportunities to scale inclusive, resilient value chains that meet both social and environmental goals.
