Author Archives: pardisl

Final Group Analysis

Our final group analysis was guided by the following objectives:

  1. Identifying the key problems and social norms within the communities we visited
  2.  Prioritize and group the problems
  3.  Look at existing resources within the communities
  4. Identify activities we can modify in our existing work plan
  5.  Based on the research define what empowerment of females within these communities will look like
  6.  Action Plan: where do these finding fit? How can we include them into our work plan? How can we make them happen?

First we wrote down the problems and Social norms which stood out to us in both field visits. We then posted all of those findings on the board, and together categorized them into clusters. We ended up with four main categories:

  • Household Equity
  • Social Norms
  • Livelihoods
  • Nutrition

In groups we identified the main issues in each category and the role cultural beliefs, social norms and practical matters (such as access to resources) play. Combining these findings with the suggestion we had received from the respondents, we set about finding activities that could be incorporated into the Fish on Farms strategy.

I will use my group’s findings to demonstrate what the process involved and what the conclusions looked like. Please keep in mind that the following solutions are from our initial impressions only and do not represent the final results.

In my group we focused on  Household Equity and identified three areas that needed improvement:

i-                    Reducing the burden of household chores on women

ii-                   Reduce alcohol consumption of men

iii-                 Involve women in household decision making

We proposed the following as means of achieving these goals

i-                    Reducing the burden of household chores on women

Involve men in the training and education sessions so they are more aware of what the household chores involve. In the training sessions take a proactive approach; for example have the men prepare a meal. This way the men can experience what the process involves.

ii-                   Reduce alcohol consumption

Using role play, involve the men in the discussion about alcohol consumption and try to obtaining their opinion and identify circumstances that lead to drinking. For instance what are the social pressures that lead to drinking? Concurrently we can put a strong emphasis on the potential of the money that is spent on alcohol; we will add up the amount spent on alcohol within one year and talk about what they could use that money for ( ie. Farming equipment).

iii-                 Involve women in household decision making

In our research we found that women can make small daily decisions such purchasing household ingredients. However, when it comes to making bigger decisions such as selling household assets they do not have authority.  We attributed this to two factors: 1- A lack of income from women, 2- Lack of confidence in decision making.

To empower the women we hope to generate income through the Fish on Farms project. We will complement this by training the women in book keeping and budgeting. To enhance the women’s confidence levels we concluded that it is important to recognize their achievements and reward good decisions.

While coming up with these solutions our goal was to involve all members of the household, since it is the household as a unit which can drive the change and not individual members.

The next step of the baseline gender analysis is to start coding all of the summaries from our interviews on the field, and this will involve nothing more than an able body (ie. me), a laptop, and a long list of summaries to review. So stay tuned for the next post which will explain what coding is and what the process involves.

 

 

Field Data Collection: Part II

As mentioned before, our days on the field were paced for one day of data collection followed by a day of summarizing our findings.

Once all the raw data was collected from our group discussions and interviews, they were consolidated- to ensure all notes were collected and consistent. Next, the notes were summarized using a set of questions particular to each tool. This was an interesting and effective method; it guided our taught process to look beyond mere facts, and start to make connections.

After summarizing the notes each group presented their findings, which was followed by group discussions of the results. These discussions allowed for comparison of the  different  groups and highlighted areas in need of improvement. Overall, I found that these deliberations gave a holistic outlook to each community and gave a glimpse of what each group’s expectations are.  We ended each discussion by clarifying areas that lacked information, and what can be done the next day to ensure they were addressed.

On our last day we summarized our overall understanding of the gender related issues in the communities we had visited. We concluded that for our next field visit we will focus on the following topics:

  • Migration for work, and the impact it has on the children that are left to the care of grandparents. What is the impact on their nutritional status.
  • Learn more about domestic violence in the communities. What resources are available for women who decide to take action against it?
  • Learn more about fish preferences, especially the six fish species that will be used for Fish on Farms project.
We will be returning to the Field on November 6th, to interview new groups and key informants in different districts, so please look for a post that will cover the events once we are back.

Field Data Collection: Part I

Our first round of field data collection for Baseline Gender analysis started in Chrey Seima Village, where the garden and fishpond arm of the project is being implemented. After a long day’s journey we were anxious to get started.

The first tools to be implemented were the gender timeline and seasonal calendar tools. For these tools we held separate FGD for men, women and the elders; this was done to allow for comparison of opinions held within each group. I was involved with the gender timeline for women, where we discussed how gender trends had changed in recent years. I was surprised at the group’s willingness to participate! Their enthusiasm was encouraging; they expressed their appreciation for the work that various NGOs had done over the past few years, and were very adamant in their request for more support, especially to help reduce domestic violence.

The second day of field data collection was conducted in three separate villages, all of which were part of the control group. Here, I conducted key informant interviews with the VHVs and VMFs to learn about what they consider as “healthy foods” and how they cope when food is scarce. With the help of my very reliable translator, Hellina Sarin, I was able to learn about their understanding of good nutrition and especially the role fish plays in a healthy diet.

The final day of data collection also took place in three separate villages (Sanloung I – III). It was the busiest one yet!  We conducted 6 group discussions with male, female and mixed respondent groups, who are part of the garden arm of the Fish on Farms project.

Here is a list of the villages we visited and the tools that were covered:

Day 1

Tools:  Seasonal Calendar and Gender Timeline

  • Chrey Seima Village , Chea Khlang Commune, Svay Antor District, pond and garden group
  • Chhkae Kaun village, Chea Khlang Commune, Svay Antor District, pond and garden group

Day 2

Tools:  Nutrition & Copings Strategies, Fish Preference, Division of  Household Tasks and Venn Diagram

  • Thnoung Village, Chea Khang Commune, Svay Antor District, control group
  • Prey Khla I Village, Prey Khla Commune, Svay Antor District, control group
  • Prey Khla II Village, , Prey Khla Commune, Svay Antor District, control group

Day 3

Tools: Financial Management, Gender Drawing, Asset Management, and Gender Trends

  • Sanloung I Village, Angkor Tret Commune, Svay Antor District, Garden group
  • Sanloung II Village, Angkor Tret Commune, Svay Antor District, Garden group
  • Sanloung III Village, Angkor Tret Commune, Svay Antor District, Garden group

As I had mentioned in the previous blog post, each day of data collection was followed by a full day of data summary and preliminary analysis. So please stay tuned for our next post which will discuss the details of how this process took place and our conclusions.

Introduction

 

My name is Pardis Lakzadeh and Im a graduate from the Faculty of Integrated Sciences in the area of Human Nutrition and Immunology. My focus was on understanding the impact of Nutrition on overall health and more specifically the relationship between nutrients and the immune system. I was first introduced to this area of research in FNH 355 International Nutrition, taught by Judy McLean herself! I was immediately taken in by the complexity of the problems surrounding nutrition globally, and was very impressed with the innovative solutions offered. This new found interest motivated me to follow up this course with FNH 455 Applied International Nutrition, and it was here that I first learned about Fish on Farms. I knew immediately that I would like to be involved and here I am 6 months later. Over the next few months together with Hellene Sarin I will be updating the blog posts and twitter account, to keep you updated on the exciting progress of Fish on Farms.

My name is Hellene Sarin and I will be working with Pardis Lakzadeh over the next few months. I am from Phnom Penh, and a fourth year student majoring in Natural Resources Conservation in the Faculty of Forestry at UBC. Building on my experience from last summer in Cambodia where I was involved in the research evaluation of a voucher program for reproductive health, through qualitative research that has a strong focus on gender analysis with FoF, I hope to gain a better understanding of the problems that surround nutrition issues in a developing country. I am also really excited to learn more about Participatory Rural Appraisal tools throughout the project and how the integration of aquaculture into homestead food production works to improve nutrition and livelihood of the people.