AGRIC DEPARTMENT COLLABORATE WITH CABI TO SENSITIZE COMMUNITIES ON NORMS THAT GOES AGAINST WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE

The Jaman South Department of Agriculture collaborated with the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) to organize durbars in five (5) communities to sensitize participants on the socio-cultural norms that militate against women in agriculture.

Sociologically, taboos prohibit women from effectively and freely engaging in activities. Issues discussed included;

1. Dietary Taboo, where it was revealed that in some communities, pregnant women were restricted from taking cart fish for it is perceived that eating will negatively affect the unborn child.
2. Sacred Days: it was also observed during the meeting that some days are prohibited to carry out some activities such as fishing or any other farming activities. These days are usually dedicated to the gods and the ancestors.

These and many more were restrictions against women that prevented them from carrying out some farm activities, eventually affecting productivity and widening the gender productivity gap.

The beneficiary communities included Sebreni, Akatakyiekrom, Asuogya, Jenjemireja, and Nyamefie, with about 1,190 participants, which included 690 women.