Fairtrade NAPP Holds Gender Sensitisation Workshop in Jammu to Discuss Women’s Participation, Safeguarding and Shared Responsibility in Rice Producer Organisations
Nineteen women and men from four Fairtrade certified producer organisations in Jammu, India, spent 20 August 2026 examining how decisions are made in their households and organisations, in line with the Fairtrade NAPP Gender Strategy 2026–2028.
For 19 participants from four Fairtrade-certified rice Producer Organisations in Jammu, India, the answer began with a simple question: Who decides?
Who decides at home? Who controls the income from the crop? Who attends the training, and who stays back?
These questions shaped the Gender Sensitisation Workshop organised by Fairtrade NAPP in Jammu on 20 August 2026. The workshop brought together 11 men and 8 women from Nature Bio-Foods Ltd, Star Global Multi Ventures Pvt Ltd, Kisan Samridhi Society and Sharsid Overseas Private Limited.
Roles Are Learned, So They Can Change
Participants began by examining the difference between sex and gender and how expectations around women's and men's roles are shaped by families, communities and institutions.
The conversation quickly moved into the realities of rice farming.
Who is recognised as a farmer? Who is registered as a member? Who manages income after harvest? Who attends training? Who speaks in meetings?
These questions helped participants examine how everyday expectations can influence women's participation in both household and organisational decisions.
“The session provided valuable insights into gender equality, inclusion, and the importance of creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone.”
- Naresh Kumar, Kisan Samridhi Society, India
The Gender Strategy as a Practical Tool
The Fairtrade NAPP Gender Strategy 2026–2028 was introduced as a practical framework for organisational action.
Participants explored how gender considerations can be incorporated into annual planning, budgeting and Gender Action Plans, with actions linked to responsible persons and measurable indicators.
Safeguarding was another key focus. Participants discussed codes of conduct, confidential complaint mechanisms and trained focal persons, alongside practical conditions that influence participation — including transport, sanitation and childcare.
“It helped us understand the Fairtrade NAPP Gender Strategy and Gender Standards in a simple and practical way.”
- Poonam Sharma, Nature Bio-Foods Ltd, Fair Farming Foundation Jammu, India
Turning barriers into solutions
One of the workshop's most interactive exercises was the “Wall of Barriers.”
Participants identified obstacles to women's participation and paired each with a possible practical response. These included:
- Equal access to training and resources
- Women's names on land and property records
- Confidential reporting and support mechanisms
- Shared household and care responsibilities
- Greater representation of women in organisational decision-making
The exercise shifted the discussion from “What is the problem?” to “What can we change?”
“The session was interactive and helped us better understand how we can contribute to creating a more gender-responsive and inclusive environment.”
- Chhaya Thakur, Sharsid Overseas Private Limited, R.S. Pura, India
Rupees 25 Lakh, and the Difference Between Present and Heard
In a role play, a fictitious producer organisation held Rupees 25 lakh in Fairtrade Premium and a proposal to allocate five per cent to a women-led initiative. Participants played chairperson, woman farmer and Premium Committee member, and had to justify their recommendation rather than simply announce it. The practices they took away are usable immediately: consult women members before investments are finalised, give them a structured opportunity to present proposals, and strengthen women’s representation on Premium Committees.
From discussion to organisational action
In the closing exercise, groups described their own organisations across leadership, safety and safeguarding, economic opportunities, and participation and voice, answering what is happening now, where the gap sits and what can change. This allowed participants to connect the workshop discussions with their own organisational realities and begin identifying actions for their Gender Action Plans.
The next step: putting ideas into practice
The workshop is a starting point for continued engagement with the four Producer Organisations as they develop and implement their Gender Action Plans within the Fairtrade NAPP Gender Strategy 2026–2028.
The longer-term outcome will be reflected not in a single workshop, but in everyday organisational practices — who participates, who speaks, who is represented, how Premium decisions are made, and how safe and inclusive spaces are maintained.
