Understanding female and male empowerment in Burkina Faso using the project-level Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI): a longitudinal study.

摘要: BACKGROUND Achieving gender equality and women's empowerment is a major global priority. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Building Resilience Vulnerable Communities in Burkina Faso (BRB) project, an agricultural development program, improved empowerment, as measured by project-level Women's Empowerment Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI). METHODS This used longitudinal, quasi-experimental design. Participants included both treatment comparison groups (total N = 751) comprising female members savings their husbands or main male household member Faso. All participants completed pro-WEAI questionnaire at baseline endline. group received comprehensive intervention package consisting agriculture loans services, microenterprise loans, education, nutrition programs including gender-based discussions designed facilitate personalized changes relations. RESULTS proportion achieving did not change from for women, but substantially men. Women saw increase endline while men substantial decrease. Gender parity high women increased slightly were more likely have adequate input productive decisions, membership, membership influential than attitudes about domestic violence, control over use income, work balance women. reported average number indicators that they decrease adequacy time (p = 0.002) after controlling age, sex, level education. CONCLUSION Despite starting disadvantage, experienced gains individual mixed results, with gaining, losing empowerment. research suggests BRB may provided some protection when faced economic down-turn prior endline, indicative resilience. Future should consider strengthen relationships between resilience