IITA-Kalambo conducts training on nutrition for women
As part of gender activities and partly in celebration of International Women’s Month, IITA-Kalambo conducted a series of training for local partners working with women in the community.
IITA scientists Renee Bullock and Patchimaporn Udomkun coordinated and facilitated a two-part training to build the capacity of trainers and sensitize Panzi hospital residents on basic principles of good nutrition.
Maison Dorcas, a transit and safety house, collaborates with IITA on the International Center for Advanced Research and Training (ICART) project that works with women and youth on nutritional research activities. Maison Dorcas works with Panzi Hospital to support women survivors of rape and gender based violence (GBV). Dorcas provides training to women in the areas of transformation and processing, sewing, and computer literacy, for example, for periods of up to 6 months, or until women are prepared and able to reintegrate into their home communities.
Dorcas’ trainers expressed the need to enhance their basic nutrition knowledge and made a request to IITA as part of the celebration of International Women’s Month.
The two-day training, hosted by IITA and Kalambo Youth Agripeneurs (IKYA), focused on topics such as transformation of cassava and soya products and the foundations of basic nutrition and food security.
The nutrition seminar engaged participants throughout the session and created a shared learning experience for trainers, IKYA members, and participants. Ten participants attended: 8 women from Panzi Hospital and 2 from the local NGO Support Service and Capacity Building for Women’s Empowerment (SARCAF).
A one-day training was also held at the Dorcas facility, where Panzi residents reside before reintegrating into their respective communities and homes. The trainers who attended the nutrition seminar used participatory approaches to collectively modify and adapt the nutrition seminar for Panzi residents and deliver it to Panzi residents. Eight trainers from Panzi were present, with six women and two men. Sixty four participants, including children, youth, women, and men took part in the nutrition training, delivered by four Panzi trainers.
The training strengthened collaboration among partners, with IKYA working closely with Panzi trainers. In addition, the training strengthened the existing partnership between IITA and ICART and paved the way for future collaboration.
The next steps are to incorporate a nutrition seminar into the Panzi program so that residents can learn more about the importance of a balanced diet. ICART also requested IITA on the use of agricultural technologies at their on-site demonstration plot.
