In this interview, Salwa Haddad, an agricultural economist and engineer, talks about her work as a Project Manager at GOPA, where she focuses on agricultural projects in Francophone countries. Salwa reflects on the organization’s approach to gender equality in project implementation, its commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs, and the dynamic nature of her work across international projects. 

Q: Please tell us about your background and your work with GOPA.   

Salwa Haddad: I'm an agricultural economist and engineer, with a Master's Degree in Agricultural Sciences from the UCL University in Belgium and a Master's Degree in Food and Resource Economics from the University of Bonn in Germany. I'm currently finishing my PhD in Bioeconomy and climate change. I joined GOPA in 2022 as a Project Manager, focusing on agricultural projects in Francophone countries. Last year alone, our department implemented over 90 projects in 66 countries. 

Q: What helps keep you passionate about working with Gopa?  

Salwa Haddad: My work and projects at GOPA are very international and very dynamic. Every day brings new challenges, but also new opportunities to grow and to learn, which keeps this job very interesting and very enriching. I also enjoy the direct contact we have with the beneficiaries of our projects. For example, the project team works closely with the farmers we support through our initiatives, which allows us to see the positive impacts that our projects have on their lives. 

Q: How does GOPA ensure gender considerations are integrated into food or agriculture projects? 

Gender equality is a key value of GOPA when implementing different projects worldwide. We always ensure that gender considerations are well integrated into the project, from the acquisition phase through the project’s implementation. We conduct regular gender assessments, which help us better understand the specific needs and challenges of various gender groups, employ clear and precise project planning methods, and collaborate closely with relevant local institutions.  

We are also working towards gender-balanced recruitment of experts and ensure that all experts and contractors are well informed on the importance of gender aspects through trainings and workshops. Lastly, we also work with project stakeholders to propose revisions to gender policies and develop new agendas, actions, plans and strategies that address gender gaps, all within the cultural context of the countries and institutions we are working with.  

Q: Can you share an example of a project where addressing gender dynamics impacted its success? 

We are currently running a project, launched last April, called the "Capacity Building Program for Women-led Cooperatives," which focuses on capacity building for women involved in shea butter production across over 50 cooperatives in Burkina Faso. This initiative is part of the World Bank's well-known We-Fi program, which supports women entrepreneurs by improving their access to finance and both national and international markets, helping them expand and grow their businesses. Our main role in this project is to design and conduct training programs covering a wide range of topics like certification, marketing and e-commerce. By empowering these women, we are not only improving their livelihoods, but also elevating their status and roles within their communities by building their confidence and economic independence. Our hope is that their success stories will inspire other women to join this kind of programs. 

Q: What challenges have you had to overcome to implement these trainings or to recruit these women into the program? 

My personal experience with this project is that women are very motivated to learn and are very pleased with the program. However, a challenge in implementing the program has been that many of them live far from the training centers, making it difficult for them to attend the sessions. In addition to caring for their children and households, many also work, so attending these trainings on top of their other responsibilities is not easy. One of the things we’re doing to lower that barrier is organizing training sessions as close as possible to where participants live. Still, this challenge is an important reminder of the multiple and multifaceted roles that women play in their communities. 

Q: What are the barriers to achieving gender equality globally, and how can players like GOPA help break down these barriers? 

One of the key barriers to achieving gender equality, in my view, is the persistence of cultural norms worldwide that limit many women's access to finance, education, and healthcare. Companies like GOPA play a crucial role in addressing this by advising on and promoting inclusive policies that create equal opportunities for all gender groups. This is particularly evident in education and training programs that empower women by improving their access to essential resources, including financial support.