• From 2018-2024, the IGNITE program addressed gender equity and malnutrition in Africa by integrating gender and nutrition in agricultural institutions’ practices, working with 35 client institutions across 18 countries.
• 70% of clients achieved leadership buy-in for gender, equity, and inclusion. 57% allocated resources for these initiatives.
• 12 client institutions committed to continuing the use of IGNITE tools on gender and nutrition beyond the program’s duration.
• IGNITE led over 60 training sessions, training 756 professionals using more than 30 tools, including frameworks, strategies and assessments.

More than 1 billion Africans are at risk of hunger and malnutrition. With women uniquely positioned to improve and sustain good nutrition in their families and communities, sustainable food systems that incorporate gender equality are critical to achieving Africa’s food and nutrition security.

To catalyze the change necessary to address gender equity and malnutrition, Tanager implemented the Impacting Gender and Nutrition through Innovative Technical Exchange in Agriculture (IGNITE) program (2018 to 2024). This technical assistance program aims to support African agricultural institutions to integrate gender and nutrition into their business practices and agricultural interventions. In collaboration with learning partners Laterite and 60 Decibels, Tanager worked with 35 client institutions in 18 countries, providing capacity building and programmatic support. Tailored interventions included staff sensitization and training, institutional audits on gender and nutrition capacity, and budget reviews, all designed to meet each client’s needs and goals around gender mainstreaming, women’s empowerment, and improved nutrition.

To ensure sustainable integration of gender and nutrition, Tanager collaborated with five local service providers (LSPs) as implementing partners. (Read more about the impacts achieved through IGNITE LSPs.)

As the IGNITE program closes this month, Tanager is reflecting on its key achievements.

IGNITE’s Key Achievements

1. Leadership Buy-In and Institutional Commitment: IGNITE successfully influenced leadership buy-in and institutional commitment to gender, equity, and inclusion for the majority of clients (70% according to the annual client feedback survey). Additionally, 57% of institutions allocated resources to support gender and nutrition initiatives. A representative from the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) stated, “Gender is actually at the strategic level led by the executive director. And [with] him being the head of the organization, the buy-in and trickling downfalls in place”
2. Increased Awareness and Programmatic Changes: Staff sensitization efforts led to increased awareness of gender and nutrition integration for 75% of clients. One-third of clients (12 out of 35) attributed their institutional changes in programmatic activities, gender policies, and nutrition approaches to their engagement with IGNITE. A representative from the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank noted, “Through IGNITE’s guidance and support, we have been able to understand the impact of incorporating gender perspectives into our projects, ensuring that they address the specific needs and challenges faced by women. This has led to the development of more targeted interventions that empower women and promote gender equality.”

3. Sustained Use of IGNITE Tools: Remarkably, 12 clients affirmed their commitment to continue using IGNITE tools on gender and nutrition beyond the program’s conclusion.
4. Enhanced Stakeholder Involvement: Stakeholder involvement with IGNITE led to a 61% improvement in partnerships, networking, and collaboration with other like-minded institutions from 20% in year 2.
5. Revised M&E Frameworks: Twelve clients (35%) revised their monitoring and evaluation frameworks to better capture the impact of gender and nutrition initiatives. Two clients developed dashboards to visualize their gender data for decision-making purposes.
6. Launch of Learning Networks: IGNITE launched two gender and nutrition learning networks in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso in collaboration with other stakeholders. These networks aim to enhance collective action, elevate and support local stakeholder ideas, promote cross-learning, and facilitate local and global coordination on gender and nutrition integration.

Research conducted under IGNITE also led to significant programmatic changes. For example, high levels of aflatoxins in Africa’s staple foods remain a barrier to food security, nutrition, health, and trade. IGNITE researchers conducted a gender analysis in 12 selected countries on behalf of the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA), an African Union partnership initiative. A PACA representative reported, “The results of the studies that we conducted with IGNITE have been used to inform food safety master plans at the national level,” noting that the research also helped inform budgeting for their master plans.

Through these interventions, IGNITE maintained a high net promoter score of 57, indicating excellent client satisfaction and a strong willingness to recommend IGNITE tools and approaches to other institutions. Clients reported tangible results from their engagement with IGNITE on gender and nutrition integration.

Exploring Tools for Gender and Nutrition Integration

Under the IGNITE program, experts conducted over 60 training sessions and trained 756 professionals in gender, nutrition, and M&E. IGNITE developed more than 30 tools to promote good practices and monitor the impact of agricultural interventions on gender outcomes and improved nutrition. These tools include frameworks, strategies, training guides, and assessments.

One notable tool is the nutrition-sensitive intervention selection tool, an interactive, practice-oriented resource providing evidence-based nutrition interventions tailored for various actors within the food systems.

The legacy of IGNITE includes the development of tools on gender and nutrition integration.

 

These tools will soon be available on the Tanager Gender and Nutrition Resource Hub, a web platform dedicated to disseminating cutting-edge knowledge on gender and nutrition. The platform will provide free access to all research findings, learning tools, and strategic guidance resources developed under IGNITE.

As the IGNITE program concludes, these achievements highlight the urgent need for institutions to integrate gender and nutrition into their interventions. The positive impacts and lessons learned over the past six years will serve as valuable building blocks for future efforts to enhance the performance of the African agriculture sector and promote gender equality and positive nutrition outcomes for men, women, youth, and children.