How internationally funded NGOs promote gender equality in horticulture value chains in Kenya
Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Third World Quarterly
Abstract
This article contributes to the literature on global value chains by examining how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) promote gender
equality. NGOs have been instrumental in setting social standards that
seek to institutionalise gender-sensitive governance structures.
However, relatively little is known about their roles in doing so. Using
in-depth empirical research on the Women@Work Campaign in the cutlery sector in Kenya, the article examines how a coalition of Kenyan
NGOs and an international NGO push for gender equality in global value
chains. While the Kenyan NGOs do most of the actual work on the
ground, the international NGO uses its position to facilitate and
empower the local NGOs to do their work. Yet, we see that funding
conditions hamper the local NGOs’ efforts to promote gender equality.
Overall, our analysis highlights that NGOs fulfil important roles in promoting gender equality in horticulture value chains but the requirements of the international aid system act as a constraint
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Gender equality, social upgrading, global value chains