One-day gender champions raining for small and medium enterprises in Ethiopia and Tanzania

This one-day training program is designed to equip SME owners, operations managers,
HR professionals, and designated Gender Champions in Ethiopia/Tanzania with practical,
low-cost approaches to integrate gender considerations into business operations and
decision-making. Rather than positioning gender as a social responsibility issue, the
training reframes it as a strategic business opportunity that can improve profitability,
strengthen supply chains, enhance workforce productivity, and increase enterprise resil
ience. The training recognises the importance of Ethiopia’s and Tanzania’s cultural and
business contexts while demonstrating how empowering women and youth can generate
measurable economic benefits for enterprises operating in agricultural value chains, such
as soybean, maize, rice, and sunflower processing. Participants are introduced to key
concepts of gender equality, equity, and empowerment and explore evidence showing how
gender-responsive practices contribute to staff retention, market expansion, operational
efficiency, and access to investment opportunities.
Through locally relevant case studies, participants examine how gender-smart interven
tions can address operational challenges and improve business performance. Examples
include improving working conditions and incentive systems for women engaged in
soybean quality sorting, which resulted in reduced machinery downtime and signifi
cantly increased oil extraction yields, thereby improving profitability. Additional examples
demonstrate how sourcing from women-led cooperatives and promoting digital financial
inclusion through platforms such as Telebirr/CBE Birr in Ethiopia and Tanzania shillings
can strengthen supplier relationships, improve product quality, and increase supply chain
reliability. A central focus of the training is the Gender Champion’s role as an internal
change agent. Participants learn practical influence strategies, including the “3-Person
Rule,” which emphasises engaging key decision-makers, influential colleagues, and
trusted community leaders to facilitate organisational change. Interactive exercises allow
participants to identify their strengths, anticipate challenges, and practice advocating for
gender-smart business decisions.
The program also provides actionable guidance on integrating gender considerations
into human resource management, leadership development, procurement systems, and
supply chain operations. Participants identify practical, no-cost or low-cost policy changes
that can be implemented immediately within their enterprises. To support implementation,
the training introduces the SHOW (Share, Highlight, Offer, and Walk) through a communi
cation framework, which helps Gender Champions effectively communicate the business
benefits of gender-responsive interventions to enterprise leadership. Participants explore
quick-win initiatives such as improving workplace facilities, adapting schedules to religious
and cultural contexts, and establishing visible anti-harassment policies.
The training concludes with the development of individualised action plans that outline
concrete goals and activities for the next 90 days. Participants also join a peer-learning
network to facilitate ongoing knowledge exchange, problem-solving, and accountability
as they implement gender-responsive strategies within their organisations. By the end
of the training, participants will have the knowledge, tools, and confidence to champion
gender-smart business practices that enhance enterprise performance, strengthen value
chains, improve workforce engagement, and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable
economic growth in Ethiopia and Tanzania.