She Produces Too: Cuba Food Security

This project contributes to improved gender-equitable and sustainable food systems for women men and children in the most vulnerable communities of the Perico and Jovellanos municipalities in the province of Matanzas. To accomplish this CARE Canada works in partnership with Cuban institutions developing the capacities of governments and agricultural authorities to promote women’s leadership strengthen local agri-food businesses and targeted value chains provide essential nutrition education to community members and ensure equitable access to nutritious and more affordable food. Project activities include: (1) updating the participatory gender analysis of cooperatives and other organizations in the agri-food sector and designing and implementing a training program on gender and masculinities for women and men within these organizations; (2) elaborating and launching a campaign for gender equity women’s leadership and positive masculinities in the local food systems; (3) designing and implementing a training plan on gender equality women’s leadership and positive masculinity for institutional and government management teams; (4) providing technical assistance to governments and agricultural institutions for implementing and monitoring the National Plan for Food Sovereignty and Nutritional Education at the local level; and (5) providing technical assistance to farmers especially women in financial management agro-ecological practices climate smart agriculture value chains and circular economy models. This initiative directly benefits 6 400 people (of whom 4 280 are women and 2 120 are men). This includes women and men farmers members of agricultural cooperatives and self-employed women some of whom receive support to strengthen or initiate an agri-food business. The beneficiaries also include women and men workers of the relevant local agricultural authorities and local government officials.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved meaningful participation and leadership of women in the food system; (2) improved practices of government and agricultural institutions to guarantee efficient local food systems; and (3) increased production of healthy foods for the most vulnerable communities including through the broad participation of women-led farming and agri-business initiatives.