The 14th edition of the PiLAF Brown Bag Series, held on Thursday, 22nd May 2025, brought into sharp focus the critical need for gender-responsive policy analysis in Nigeria’s agri-food sector. The session, hosted by the Innovation Lab for Policy Leadership in Agriculture and Food Security (PiLAF), featured thought-provoking presentations by Dr. Temitayo Adeyemo, Lecturer at the University of Ibadan and Mrs. Olamide Nwanze, Senior Research Associate at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Unpacking Gender-Responsive Analysis: Tools and Frameworks
Dr. Temitayo Adeyemo emphasized that, while gender mainstreaming is increasingly acknowledged in policy discussions, many agricultural policies remain limited in their implementation of gender-responsive actions. She introduced two powerful tools for gender policy analysis:
- Gender in Agricultural Policies Analysis Tool (GAPO) – Developed by FAO in 2016, this content analysis tool scores policies on a scale of 1 (gender-blind) to 5 (gender-transformative). It uses 15 yes/no indicators to assess critical thematic areas, including access to land, markets, credit, and rural employment.
- Women’s Empowerment in Agricultural Governance (WEAGOV) – A more comprehensive framework that assesses policy design, implementation, and evaluation. WEAGOV examines women’s consideration, inclusion, and influence using qualitative and quantitative data, including surveys, interviews, and administrative records.
Dr. Adeyemo stressed that effective gender-responsive policies must go beyond mentioning “gender inclusion”—they must have clear objectives, measurable indicators, and a commitment to dismantling systemic discrimination.
Case Study 1: GAPO Analysis of Nigeria’s National Agricultural Seed Policy
Mrs. Olamide Nwanze presented a GAPO-based analysis of the National Agricultural Seed Policy (NAPS). Her findings highlighted some efforts at gender inclusion, particularly in improving access to certified seeds for women and youth. However, major gaps remain, such as the land ownership requirement for seed entrepreneurs, which continues to marginalize women. The policy earned a GAPO score of 3, indicating partial recognition of gender disparities but limited corrective actions.
She recommended that the upcoming 2027 policy review integrate GAPO and WEAGOV insights and prioritize inclusive stakeholder engagement to craft a truly gender-responsive strategy.
Case Study 2: Fisheries and Aquaculture Policies
Dr. Adeyemo also shared findings from a gender analysis of Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture policies, comparing the 2008 policy to a revised 2024 draft. She noted an improvement in gender inclusion, from four to nine GAPO indicators. However, despite the progress, key issues such as lack of sex-disaggregated data, gender-responsive budgeting, and weak monitoring and evaluation remain unresolved. Using the WEAGOV framework, she demonstrated that, while gender considerations exist in the policy text, actual implementation lags, with women and youth still underserved in terms of resources and institutional support.
Key Takeaways
The presentations underscored several critical insights:
- Tools like GAPO and WEAGOV provide valuable, evidence-based approaches for identifying and addressing gender gaps in policy.
- Cultural context matters—policies must be tailored to reflect local realities and power dynamics.
- Gender analysis is not solely about women; it encompasses all groups whose social identities affect their access to resources and opportunities.
- There is a pressing need for baseline data, measurable indicators, and inclusive consultation during policy formulation and evaluation.
Looking Forward
In his closing remarks, Dr. Benjamin Oyelami commended the presenters for their depth of analysis and urged participants to apply these insights in their respective institutions, research, and advocacy work. The session ended on a hopeful note, with participants calling for greater dissemination of research findings through policy briefs, conferences, social media, and stakeholder platforms.
PiLAF Brown Bag Series continues to serve as a vital platform for unpacking complex issues and proposing actionable solutions for Nigeria’s agricultural policy landscape. The 14th edition adds to a growing body of knowledge and tools needed to make agricultural policies more inclusive, equitable, and effective.