Gender equality in GrowHer:Kakao
The Indonesian cocoa economy relies heavily on the labour of women, who make up around 32 % of the workforce. These women play a crucial role as farmers, household decision-makers and financial managers. The GrowHer:Kakao project focuses on improving the rights, representation and access to resources of 4,000 women-owned cocoa farms in Indonesia. The aim is to ensure a safe, resilient, sustainable, and inclusive cocoa supply in the region. Empowering women as leaders in agriculture will not only ensure their participation in business decisions, but also realise their full potential under conditions of equity, inclusion, and diversity.
As a champion in the village, I hope that in the future I can help other older women so they can also be women champions (…). We hope, that our family's finances can be stable and moreover we have savings for our family's future.
Why is the GrowHer:Kakao project so important?
The public-private funding of gender equality and women's economic empowerment has a positive impact on the lives of thousands of women and their representation in all areas of society. It also contributes to the development of agriculture by promoting crop diversification and the adoption of sustainable practices, which in turn strengthens the cocoa sector. It also lays the foundation for transformative gender policies in Indonesia by emphasising the crucial role of women in adapting to climate change, contributing to more resilient and sustainable communities in Southeast Asia.
What has been achieved so far?
The project has promoted safe and gender-sensitive spaces in which women are trained in entrepreneurial skills and financial inclusion. It has also trained their families and community members in promoting gender equality in everyday life, local decision-making processes, and political participation. In addition, the exchange between the local government and partners in the agricultural supply chain was strengthened, with a commitment to share the lessons learnt in the project and guide future policies in promoting and integrating a gender perspective.
More information about GrowHer:Kakao can be found here.