Breaking Gender Barriers: Fairtrade Gender Strategy Development Workshop in Sri Lanka funded by the  European Union

In August, the picturesque hills of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, became the setting for a transformative initiative aimed at breaking long-standing barriers to gender equality in agriculture. Supported by the European Union (EU) and organized by Fairtrade NAPP, this two-day Gender Strategy Development Workshop brought together 24 representatives from Fairtrade Labor Organizations (FLOs), including 18 women and 5 men, to confront systemic issues and chart a path toward a more inclusive agricultural landscape.

Far from being a mere discussion, the workshop was a collaborative effort to design actionable strategies that address the root causes of inequality in Sri Lankan plantations and rural communities. Against socio-economic challenges exacerbated by the global pandemic and economic crises, this initiative stood as a beacon of hope for empowering women and fostering sustainable development.

The workshop began with in-depth consultation sessions to examine the gender landscape in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector. Participants engaged in participatory exercises such as root cause analysis, SWOC (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Constraints) analysis, and stakeholder mapping to identify systemic barriers preventing women from accessing leadership roles, land ownership, and technical training.

Discussions uncovered stark disparities, including:

• Limited access to economic resources due to patriarchal norms.
• Gender-based violence (GBV), with 95% of women reporting harassment in public spaces.
• Negative attitudes from duty bearers and policy gaps in promoting gender equality.

These findings provided a foundation for developing tailored interventions to address inequalities while empowering men and women to champion change.

The Gender Strategy Development Workshop aimed to:

1. Understand Gender Profiling: Analyse the socio-cultural and economic factors perpetuating inequalities within Sri Lankan plantations.
2. Identify Gender Gaps: Validate and categorize key challenges women face in accessing opportunities.
3. Develop Prioritized Action Plans: Address short-, medium-, and long-term needs through structured interventions.
4. Foster Sustainable Change: Create actionable solutions that ensure equal opportunities for women in agriculture.

This initiative is part of a larger three-year strategy (2025-2027) to incorporate gender perspectives across Fairtrade labour organizations, ensuring that women and men have equal access to resources, opportunities, and leadership roles.

One of the most impactful outcomes of the workshop was the creation of Gender Action Plans tailored to the unique needs of participating organizations. These plans were divided into short-term and long-term goals:

• Immediate Actions:
  • Formation of gender task forces to monitor progress.
  • Regular audits to track representation and ensure equitable practices.
• Long-Term Vision:
  • Achieving 50% female leadership representation in Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) within five years.
  • Integration of gender-sensitive budgeting and policy-making processes.

These plans address both the socio-cultural and structural barriers that hinder gender equality, ensuring that the path forward is both practical and impactful.

The workshop also served as a platform for women to share their personal experiences. One participant, a tea plantation worker, described how lack of technical training opportunities limited her ability to innovate. Another highlighted the mental health challenges of balancing family expectations with professional aspirations, underscoring the need for holistic support systems.

These stories reinforced the urgency of addressing gender issues and reminded participants that achieving equality is not just an organizational goal but a societal necessity.

Recognizing the potential of digital tools in bridging gaps, the workshop emphasized the importance of introducing ICT training for women. Access to digital resources would enable women to actively participate in production and supply chains actively, enhancing their financial independence and reducing vulnerabilities to cybercrime.

Additionally, specialized training programs were proposed to equip women with skills in non-traditional roles such as electricians, water scheme caretakers, and even field supervisors—breaking stereotypes and fostering gender-inclusive workplaces.

This initiative was made possible through funding from the European Union, whose support underscores the critical link between gender equality and sustainable development. Fairtrade NAPP committed to:

• Implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Tracking indicators such as leadership representation, financial independence, and equitable resource distribution.
• Ensuring measurable outcomes that reflect the tangible benefits of the strategies developed.

The Gender Strategy Development Workshop was more than an event; it marked a turning point for Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector. By blending data-driven insights, community collaboration, and innovative planning, this initiative laid the groundwork for a future where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.

Through the collective efforts of Fairtrade NAPP, EU funders, and local stakeholders, Sri Lanka is setting a precedent for what inclusive and sustainable farming can look like. As these strategies are implemented, they promise to transform not only workplaces but also the fabric of rural communities—ensuring a future where every farmer, regardless of gender, can thrive.