Gendered Access to Markets: Gendered Networks and Livelihood Alternatives Cross-cutting initiative

In Indonesia, for example, women have limited access to markets, with only 12.6% of women having access to markets. Middlemen, mostly men, play a crucial role in connecting farmers to markets, deciding prices, and providing information on agricultural products. However, women are developing their own marketing systems to reduce their dependence on middlemen. Social networks (SN) also play a vital role in facilitating access to market information. In Vietnam, formal SN support agricultural production and marketing, while informal SN provide women access to markets, trading, micro-credit, information, education, and health care. In Bolivia, women-dominated marketing networks allow them better access to information and support in production and marketing activities. In contrast, in Zambia, SN are less important in facilitating access to market information, regardless of gender. In Indonesia, market networks are controlled by men, with women only selling as small retailers or in neighborhood stores. However, women are developing their own marketing systems to improve their access to markets and information. The use of new information and communication technologies (ICT), such as cell phones, also plays an important role in accessing information and improving market access for women. The Philippines has seen networks serving to bridge women's information gaps, particularly about existing market supply and demand for particular products, prevailing or fluctuating market prices, buyers' preferences, and market demand for new crops. In Indonesia, women's informal networking is a weak but important source of power, which needs attention from local leaders to improve. Building and strengthening women's agency is a long process, affected by life cycle and gender differences, as well as the role of middlemen in connecting farmers to markets.