Description

Abstract: The study aims to describe and compare the gendered marketing networks of women farmers that link them to local markets for their products in three countries namely Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. It also seeks to determine how these networks influence the women’s access to market information and their household bargaining status. The study employs a qualitative multi-method approach that combines review of related literature and project documents/ reports, in-depth interviews, participatory network mapping, and participatory focused discussions. The study s subjects are selected women farmers belonging to a formal women s association (Philippines and Vietnam) or informal women s group (Indonesia).

A comparative description of the prevailing gender roles in the reproductive, productive, and community spheres has already been obtained from earlier project studies particularly rapid market assessments or market value chain studies and gender surveys. However, the review of literature on farm women s social networks and social capital is still ongoing. Fieldwork is also only partially completed. For Indonesia and Philippines, the women s market networks have already been mapped with their participation but only analyzed preliminarily. In Vietnam, field data gathering concentrated first on understanding women’s involvement in local organizations.