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Introduction
The Erromango Gendered Market Chain Analysis is a coordinated research project co-funded by Leftemap Sista project, supported by Australian Aid and the Yumi Redi long Klaemet Jenis Program, funded by PACAM, USAID.
CARE International in Vanuatu’s Leftemap Sista Project tackles underlying causes of gender inequality within Vanuatu society. CARE in Vanuatu works closely with governments and civil society partners to promote women’s and girls’ leadership, skills development and economic empowerment. This assessment was commissioned under the project’s outcome 2: Increased capacity of Women’s Economic and Livelihood (WEL) groups to advocate for their own economic and livelihood needs. The project component on economic empowerment links women with economic opportunities and markets and providing and brokering support to women’s livelihood groups. This gendered assessment of the Erromango Market, its industries, opportunities and challenges aims to identify the current key markets for women, opportunities which are, or could be available to women as a livelihood. The report also aims to inform CARE programmingm in Erromango and to support market players in the development of products and services to meet market needs.
In economies such as Vanuatu where high numbers of the population engage in farming as a livelihood activity, the link between food security and livelihood is strong. In TAFEA, 85% of the population are subsistence farmers. In CARE’s resilience ‘Yumi Redi long Klaemet Jenis’ program there is a strong focus on fostering resilience through agricultural practices. The potential for generating livelihood opportunities by selling excess produce has highlighted the need to have a better understanding of the local market and opportunities that exist within the market.
This assessment analyses the Erromango market as a whole, with a gendered lens which allows roles and responsibilities of men and women in livelihood activities to be taken into consideration. This market analysis was completed to identify key markets which could provide viable opportunities for economic and livelihood activities specifically for women.