National AMR Context
In Zimbabwe, the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in poultry production have accelerated the threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), mirroring global trends and amplifying local risks for animal and public health. National surveillance highlights gaps in regulation due to limited access to veterinary services, widespread off-label use, and limited stewardship initiatives, high costs of preventative measures, many small-to-medium-scale farmers rely on antimicrobials for disease management. The context of high antibiotic pressure, coupled with existing socio-economic barriers for key actors, necessitates targeted interventions to safeguard animal and public health.
The problem
In sub-Saharan Africa, women are crucial to smallholder agriculture but often face significant barriers to accessing resources and decision-making platforms, which limits their productivity. In Zimbabwe’s poultry sector, these gender disparities can be worsened if the specific needs of women, such as access to training and credit, are not addressed. Women, who make up a significant portion of smallholder farmers, face systemic barriers to land ownership, decision-making power, and access to resources, which limits their ability to implement biosecurity practices. Ignoring these inequalities can reinforce existing power structures and reduce the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at reducing antibiotic use.
The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in poultry production, has exacerbated the threat of AMR. In Zimbabwe’s poultry sector, persistent gender disparities in access to resources, training, and decision-making power undermine women’s productivity and threaten biosecurity outcomes. Systemic exclusion from land ownership, financial credit, and leadership positions restricts women’s capacity to adopt best practices, increasing vulnerability to disease outbreaks and contributing to unregulated antibiotic use that fuels AMR.
Project overview
The project aims to strengthen biosecurity practices within Zimbabwe’s poultry value-chain by integrating a gender-responsive methodology tailored to local agricultural norms and smallholder realities for the effectiveness and sustainability of interventions to reduce AMR in Zimbabwe. The methodology involves both qualitative and quantitative approaches, interventions include capacity building for women farmers, participatory workshops to co-design solutions with diverse community members, and systematic monitoring of both biosecurity adoption and equity impacts. Activities include the training of facilitators to address gender challenges at Farmer Field Schools (FFS), collecting sex-disaggregated data, conducting semi-structured interviews with farmers (at least 50% women), and holding Conversation Events to co-create solutions with community members. Focusing on Goromonzi, Seke, and Zvimba, the initiative aims to refine antibiotic use while driving inclusive socioeconomic growth and empowering marginalized groups. The project will identify and address systemic barriers, enhance community engagement, promote equitable economic opportunities, and inform policy-making from a gender and equity perspective.
Intended outcomes
- Increased adoption of biosecurity practices: This will lead to a reduction in disease outbreaks and antibiotic use for poultry.
- Improved animal health and productivity: This will result in higher incomes and enhanced food security for poultry farmers.
- Empowerment of women and marginalized groups: This includes increasing their decision-making power and economic opportunities.
- More sustainable poultry value-chain: The project will foster equitable benefit sharing, making the entire sector more resilient.
Impact
Reduced antimicrobial resistance: This will help safeguard the effectiveness of antibiotics for poultry farmers.
About the Gender and Equity Stream
