From a farmer to a gender champion: Grooming change makers, one man at a time!
It’s a bright day in Koch, Gabriel Yatbouth-56 in white branded T-shirt, together with other members of the farmers group have gathered at the demonstration garden. This is the usual meeting place for the farmers group. Gabriel is married with 26 children and three wives. He is a businessman trading in a variety of items like sugar, sorghum, salt, and other items.
Farming is a new skill that Gabriel and his group members have learnt. Koch, being a pastoral community, most of the people depend on keeping livestock for their livelihoods. Agriculture is done on a small scale. The area is however prone to flooding. Last year, the floods destroyed livelihoods causing displacements in flood affected communities aggravating the already dire humanitarian situation.
To build community resilience in Koch, CARE and partners through the South Sudan Joint Response project, supported farmers like Gabriel with seeds and trained them on how to grow their own food to improve their food situation. “They trained us on how to plant maize and vegetables. This supplements my business and now I can provide for my family and take some of the produce to the market.” he said.
Apart from the training in good agricultural practices, Gabriel also participated in Gender Based Violence training which has changed his behavior towards performing gender roles that were perceived to be for women. “When my wife is pregnant, I can help with fetching firewood from the bush, I can even bathe the children which was not the case before. Many years ago, we never used to send all children to school especially girls but now all my children are in school and if any of my wives want to join an adult learning program, I will support her.” expressed Gabriel.
The training and awareness raising sessions conducted, did not only change Gabriel, but also the communities understanding of gender dynamics and this has led to an improvement in men’s behavior. “A lot has changed in the community; men no longer beat their wives. As a result of engaging men in Gender Based Violence discussions, the incidences of GBV have reduced.”
Gabriel now advances for gender equality in the community. He is among the gender champions trained on EMAP and is currently engaging men in discussions to stop domestic violence against women. Gabriel doesn’t stop at that but also imparts the farming knowledge he received and encourages more people to join the farmers group. “I have encouraged four people to join the group. I will continue to educate men on the dangers of domestic violence and encourage them to support their families.” concludes Gabriel.
About CARE projects:
CARE is scaling up gender responsive humanitarian interventions in Koch to save lives and livelihoods and to prevent the further spread of hunger and associated protection risks for women, girls and children.
In our protection and GBV programing we implement an approach that Engages men through Accountable Practice (EMAP) to prevent Violence Against Women and Girls. This approach is aimed at achieving a transformative individual behavior change. The project’s goal is to reduce harmful behavior and increase gender equality in the homes, provide male participants with tools and knowledge to rethink cultural belief, systems and prevent Violence Against Women and Girls.
Farming is a new skill that Gabriel and his group members have learnt. Koch, being a pastoral community, most of the people depend on keeping livestock for their livelihoods. Agriculture is done on a small scale. The area is however prone to flooding. Last year, the floods destroyed livelihoods causing displacements in flood affected communities aggravating the already dire humanitarian situation.
To build community resilience in Koch, CARE and partners through the South Sudan Joint Response project, supported farmers like Gabriel with seeds and trained them on how to grow their own food to improve their food situation. “They trained us on how to plant maize and vegetables. This supplements my business and now I can provide for my family and take some of the produce to the market.” he said.
Apart from the training in good agricultural practices, Gabriel also participated in Gender Based Violence training which has changed his behavior towards performing gender roles that were perceived to be for women. “When my wife is pregnant, I can help with fetching firewood from the bush, I can even bathe the children which was not the case before. Many years ago, we never used to send all children to school especially girls but now all my children are in school and if any of my wives want to join an adult learning program, I will support her.” expressed Gabriel.
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Gabriel 56, during the interview in Koch (@CARE/Robinah Baseka) |
The training and awareness raising sessions conducted, did not only change Gabriel, but also the communities understanding of gender dynamics and this has led to an improvement in men’s behavior. “A lot has changed in the community; men no longer beat their wives. As a result of engaging men in Gender Based Violence discussions, the incidences of GBV have reduced.”
Gabriel now advances for gender equality in the community. He is among the gender champions trained on EMAP and is currently engaging men in discussions to stop domestic violence against women. Gabriel doesn’t stop at that but also imparts the farming knowledge he received and encourages more people to join the farmers group. “I have encouraged four people to join the group. I will continue to educate men on the dangers of domestic violence and encourage them to support their families.” concludes Gabriel.
About CARE projects:
CARE is scaling up gender responsive humanitarian interventions in Koch to save lives and livelihoods and to prevent the further spread of hunger and associated protection risks for women, girls and children.
In our protection and GBV programing we implement an approach that Engages men through Accountable Practice (EMAP) to prevent Violence Against Women and Girls. This approach is aimed at achieving a transformative individual behavior change. The project’s goal is to reduce harmful behavior and increase gender equality in the homes, provide male participants with tools and knowledge to rethink cultural belief, systems and prevent Violence Against Women and Girls.
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