Participatory systems modeling to identify and support gender-responsive agri-food system strategies

There is a growing body of literature highlighting the need for increased focus on gender dynamics and inequality within agri-food systems, and in the design of policies that improve food and nutrition security while addressing climate change. Application of analytical tools that both (a) increase understanding of distinct gendered outcomes and constraints in these settings and (b) facilitate the development of policies that are gender-responsive and effective at mitigating climate change impacts is needed. Yet, identification of policies that improve or harm gendered outcomes is limited within many current analytical approaches by significant knowledge gaps about gender-specific realities, and by the lack of a systems perspective. We summarize these challenges in the context of agri-food supply chains under climate change and recommend Participatory Systems Modeling (PSM) as a method to address barriers to capturing “the gender variable” effectively and improving gender-responsive policy design. We discuss the methodology behind PSM and present examples of its usage in understanding agri-food supply chains as an integral component of global agri-food systems and determinant of food and nutrition security outcomes, where gender dynamics and climate change are important overarching system features and drivers. We recommend how PSM can be best utilized to improve the gender sensitivity of policy design for key agri-food system components like agri-food supply chains, and discuss ways that PSM itself can become more gender-responsive as a research and policy design tool.