Abstract

Women are the main workers in the food processing sector and hence most subject to the impact of trade liberalization and globalization. In October 2000, WIEGO (Women in Informal Empoyment: Globalizing and Organizing), UNIFEM (United Nations Development Programme for Women) and the Government of Nepal, organized a regional policy dialogue on women in the informal economy with financial and technical support from IDRC and the Aga Khan Foundation. Following up on the workshop, this grant will allow the South Asia office of the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) to undertake a study aimed at understanding the differential impact of globalization on women and men in the food processing sector, with a view to establishing a detailed program of research and action for the region. The study will focus on spices, cashews, sesame products and fish/shrimps. Researchers will highlight data and studies that show how women workers and producers fit into global commodity chains, and how their position in these chains is changing as a result of globalization. The overall goal of the project is to assist women working in food processing industries in South Asia to minimize the negative effects of globalization and to seize new economic activities.

Recipient Institution(s)