A systematic review of gender in participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in Africa

We conduct a systematic review to explore the state of knowledge on participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in Africa, the extent to which women and other marginalized groups are engaged in the collective development processes, and how gender issues are addresse...

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Main Authors: Peter Asare-Nuamah, David Anaafo, Tina Beuchelt, Constance A. Akurugu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1628825/full
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author Peter Asare-Nuamah
Peter Asare-Nuamah
Peter Asare-Nuamah
David Anaafo
Tina Beuchelt
Constance A. Akurugu
author_facet Peter Asare-Nuamah
Peter Asare-Nuamah
Peter Asare-Nuamah
David Anaafo
Tina Beuchelt
Constance A. Akurugu
author_sort Peter Asare-Nuamah
collection DOAJ
description We conduct a systematic review to explore the state of knowledge on participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in Africa, the extent to which women and other marginalized groups are engaged in the collective development processes, and how gender issues are addressed. Grounded in gender and social inclusion concepts, guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), and using Scopus and Web of Science databases, we discover a modest and fluctuating growth in participatory and social learning research since 2005. However, many participatory studies, do not address specifically collective learning and reflection nor integrate gender. For those with in-depth gender focus, multiple approaches are adopted for stakeholder selection and engagement, enabling a detailed reflection and integration of gender dimensions in co-developing solutions. It is crucial for participatory studies to be socially inclusive and gender sensitive, and address power dynamics, which are necessary to alter gender relations and norms, tackle inequality, and enhance agency at the household and community levels.
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series Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
spelling doaj-art-6115bf2f4ab34253a9fc2c550f6892092025-08-20T04:00:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-07-01910.3389/fsufs.2025.16288251628825A systematic review of gender in participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in AfricaPeter Asare-Nuamah0Peter Asare-Nuamah1Peter Asare-Nuamah2David Anaafo3Tina Beuchelt4Constance A. Akurugu5Center for Development Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanyInstitute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanyUniversity of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, GhanaWest African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use, Ouagadougou, Burkina FasoCenter for Development Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanySimon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa, GhanaWe conduct a systematic review to explore the state of knowledge on participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in Africa, the extent to which women and other marginalized groups are engaged in the collective development processes, and how gender issues are addressed. Grounded in gender and social inclusion concepts, guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), and using Scopus and Web of Science databases, we discover a modest and fluctuating growth in participatory and social learning research since 2005. However, many participatory studies, do not address specifically collective learning and reflection nor integrate gender. For those with in-depth gender focus, multiple approaches are adopted for stakeholder selection and engagement, enabling a detailed reflection and integration of gender dimensions in co-developing solutions. It is crucial for participatory studies to be socially inclusive and gender sensitive, and address power dynamics, which are necessary to alter gender relations and norms, tackle inequality, and enhance agency at the household and community levels.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1628825/fullagriculturegenderland managementparticipatory researchsocial learning
spellingShingle Peter Asare-Nuamah
Peter Asare-Nuamah
Peter Asare-Nuamah
David Anaafo
Tina Beuchelt
Constance A. Akurugu
A systematic review of gender in participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in Africa
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
agriculture
gender
land management
participatory research
social learning
title A systematic review of gender in participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in Africa
title_full A systematic review of gender in participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in Africa
title_fullStr A systematic review of gender in participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in Africa
title_full_unstemmed A systematic review of gender in participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in Africa
title_short A systematic review of gender in participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in Africa
title_sort systematic review of gender in participatory and social learning research in agriculture and land management in africa
topic agriculture
gender
land management
participatory research
social learning
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1628825/full
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