Salome Atieno Bukachi

Top‐down, extractive research approaches are increasingly challenged in social studies, particularly by communities in the Global South. However, methodological stagnation persists as systemic academic pressures and a wider lack of social change hinder researchers from engaging in long‐term transformative studies. We discuss multi‐step context‐building focus group discussions (FGDs) within a ‘methodology as practice’ approach (Hui, 2023), emphasising collaboration, openness and integration of diverse approaches. Our discussion explores collaboration among researchers and participants and links elements of feminist, decolonial, and slow scholarship approaches. This paper draws on experiences applying a cross‐comparative approach (INITI8), which combines community‐based participant observation (CBPO) with FGDs in water security research in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Kenya. We critically discuss the tensions and resulting re‐work related to (1) the power of the elite both in our North–South collaboration and in collaboration with participant group leaders in the study sites; (2) socio‐spatial inclusion implications of our research design decisions in defining peri‐urban areas and engaging with illiterate women in rural areas; and (3) multi‐level reflexivity through the positionality of researchers, collaborative reflexivity in analysis and process, reflexivity of participants, and reflexivity on the overall study recognising its positioning within entrenched colonial epistemologies.

Livestock are vital to the health and economic stability of communities worldwide. However, infectious diseases threaten both animal and human health due to losses in livestock, decreased production, and transmission of zoonotic diseases. To manage and mitigate these risks, access to livestock vaccines is critical. This is often gendered, with societal and cultural norms influencing barriers to access. Through a scoping review of 49 publications, we describe the gendered dynamics of livestock vaccination in relation to farmers’ perceptions and knowledge about vaccines, access to vaccines and vaccination programs, and the ways in which roles and responsibilities in relation to cultural norms shape and limit women’s decision making power and empowerment to participate in such initiatives. We find that across communities, women face similar barriers to engaging in livestock vaccination programs, but that local context is critical to understanding and addressing these barriers. Within a broader context of the gendered dynamics of vaccination for both human and animal health, we highlight the need for vaccination programs that identify and address inequitable access to vaccines to support community and animal wellbeing as well as resilience to emerging health threats. One Health impact statement: This article examines the gendered dynamics of livestock vaccination, emphasizing the need for a One Health approach to develop more equitable and effective vaccination strategies. By considering the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health, this review highlights structural inequities in vaccine distribution and access, the impact of gender roles on decision making and participation in vaccination programs, and the broader implications for animal health and community wellbeing. Drawing on insights from veterinary medicine, social sciences, and public health, we advocate for inclusive, gender-transformative programs that address the diverse needs of those involved in livestock care and community health.

The global demand from multi-sectoral partners for operational tools for One Health implementation and capacity building is increasing, yet a validated global inventory of One Health tools did not exist. Here, we map and analyze available One Health tools and assess their suitability to support One Health implementation, including the One Health Joint Plan of Action 2022–2026 (OH JPA). Our objectives were to identify (i) publicly available One Health tools to support capacity building and OH JPA implementation; (ii) optimal outcomes for countries/regions using available One Health tools; (iii) linkages to OH JPA Action Tracks and pathways in the One Health Theory of Change (TOC); and (iv) gaps and priorities for the development of additional One Health tools. One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) members compiled information on One Health tools that were publicly available and released up to June 30, 2023, via online sources and partner networks including the Quadripartite organizations. Inclusion criteria addressed One Health relevance, use at the national, subnational, or regional level in ≥5 locations, and publicly available information. Tools were assessed for applicability by OH JPA action track, TOC pathway, scope, and intended outcomes, as well as the extent to which tools addressed gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental dimensions of One Health. Of 132 candidate tools, 50 (38%) met the inclusion criteria. These tools addressed all six OH JPA Action Tracks, but relatively fewer tools addressed Action Tracks 4 (Food Safety), 5 (Antimicrobial Resistance), and 6 (Environmental Integration). Tools were available to support all three TOC outcome pathways, and many addressed more than one Action Track and TOC outcome pathway. Most available One Health tools addressed assessment and to a lesser extent implementation, with fewer tools available for action planning, prioritization, and monitoring. Gaps and opportunities for improving One Health tools were identified, including the integration of the environment dimension, gender equality, and social inclusion. Ultimately, our findings will contribute to further the advancement of One Health globally, including via OH JPA implementation, while spurring adjustments to existing One Health tools and the development of new ones to address key gaps. One Health impact statement: The One Health approach is gaining momentum globally, and this study represents the first integrated mapping and analysis of globally available One Health tools. Our findings aim to improve the quality, applicability, and availability of tools to support One Health implementation at the subnational, national, regional, and global levels, including through the Quadripartite’s One Health Joint Plan of Action. By using the OHHLEP definition of One Health to assess available One Health tools and map them onto the One Health Joint Plan of Action, we identify the need for a systematic approach and enhanced integration across dimensions of One Health to lead to sustainable One Health systems.

Understanding the gender-linked dynamics in the small holder poultry value chain is necessary for enabling sustainable agriculture and food systems. Small holder livestock production, including poultry keeping in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), plays important socio-economic and food security roles in rural communities. Poultry production contributes to sustainable food systems as it supports nutrient cycling through feed, manure, and soils. A qualitative study utilized data from 18 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 22 in-depth interviews (IDIs) to interrogate the gender-linked dynamics in the value chain and inform interventions for sustainable food systems. The data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded into themes responding to the study question. The results highlight the gender-linked drivers, namely, the social and economic value placed on poultry, ownership, power positions, and decision making dynamics in production and management among small holder poultry value chain actors in Makueni County, Kenya. The study findings demonstrate the increasing economic and social value placed on poultry in households and communities. The study further discusses gender-disaggregated ownership and decision making in the poultry value chain, highlighting the need to engage all involved actors to develop sustainable food systems. In addition to the social and economic value of poultry to small holder farmers, it is necessary to factor in potential nutrition and environmental benefits. While small holder poultry production has the potential to contribute to sustainable food systems economically, nutritionally, and environmentally, this study found that more emphasis is placed on socio-economic value dimensions. Noteworthy is that in ownership and decision making, gender dynamics inform the role and position of the different actors in a sustainable small holder poultry value chain that is socio-economically, nutritionally, and environmentally sound.

Background: Gender shapes household decision-making and access for nutritious diets, including animal source foods (ASFs) that impact on child health and nutrition status. However, research shows that the poorest households in the urban informal settlements of Nairobi have low ASFs consumption. This study was conducted to explore further from a qualitative perspective the gender, sociocultural factors affecting household ASF consumption this study. Methods: To explore further on the topic of study, an exploratory qualitative study was carried out to establish the factors that influence access, allocation and consumption of animal source foods (ASFs) by households in urban informal settings of Nairobi. Nineteen focus group discussions with men and women were conducted to enable in-depth exploration of ASFs consumption. Results: Gender influences decision-making of household ASFs dietary intake. Gendered power dynamics prevail with men as breadwinners and household heads often determining the food access and consumption of ASFs. Women are increasingly accessing short-term waged-based incomes in urban informal settings and now play a role in food and nutrition security for their households. This enforces the idea that women’s decision-making autonomy is an important aspect of women empowerment, as it relates to women’s dietary diversity and subsequently, better household nutritional status. As evidenced in this study, if a woman has bargaining power based on accessing incomes to support their household food needs, she will not jeopardize food security. The mobile digital money platform was key in enabling access to resources to access food. Use of trust to access food on credit and purchasing smaller packaged quantities of food were also enablers to access of food/ASFs.