Challenging harmful gender norms
Women and girls are being discriminated because of their gender. This discrimination happens everywhere: in families, communities, the job market, politics, laws and more. Unfair, patriarchal norms affect all levels of society. Vi Agroforestry seeks to transform these norms by designing and implementing projects to address the root causes. By promoting equal access to resources, training, and decision-making power for women, Vi Agroforestry aims to empower women in East Africa.
Recognizing that women are often disproportionately affected by poverty, Vi Agroforestry emphasizes the importance of women’s leadership in poverty reduction, climate action, and sustainable agriculture. A key part of this approach is supporting women through agroforestry practices, leadership training, and economic initiatives like Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA). We have also developed a tool we call the “household roadmap” where couples are trained and incentivized to practice share decision-making over how to plan their farming.
Empowering youth
Rural youth in East African farming communities face challenges such as limited access to land, credit, and modern farming technologies. High unemployment, coupled with a lack of vocational training tailored to agriculture, leaves many without viable career paths in their communities. Climate change adds to the strain, making farming less secure.
Vi Agroforestry aims to improve their livelihoods, offer diversified income sources, and empower them to participate in governance and development activities. This approach not only addresses immediate economic needs but also ensures that youth have a voice in shaping the policies and practices that affect their lives.
Our work contributes especially to 5 of the global Sustainable Development Goals:
