In December 2012, the programme on Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume cropping systems for food security in Eastern and Southern Africa (SIMLESA) commissioned a study to compile case studies of good practices in gender mainstreaming in the areas covered by the programme. This study was a result of an action point agreed on by participants at a Gender Mainstreaming Training Workshop held in July 2011 in Morogoro, Tanzania. The compilation of the case studies of good practices was intended to take stock and showcase the efforts of gender mainstreaming in the SIMLESA programme that had started three years earlier.
The assignment had three major tasks: (1) to review the case studies collected by the SIMLESA programme staff to determine the potential for generation of gender responsive case studies; (2) to conduct field visits to the five countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania) and collect additional gender data/information on the case studies, to ensure that the case studies are comprehensive in demonstrating the gender concerns/issues from various countries; and (3) to compile at least five case studies for each country, highlighting the change resulting from (or impact of) the gender mainstreaming efforts of the SIMLESA programme.