From the introduction:

This chapter contributes to a bigger research project: ”Transculturality and community” conducted by Trans-cultural Research Group whose aim was to explore what the Hope Development Initiative (HDI) project contributed to the economic empowerment of women. The chapter examines the effect of HDI initiatives on the culture, identity and economic empowerment of women using a case study concerning the rice value chain. The research analyzed the gender dimension of the rice value chain, specifically focusing on how the project influenced the cultural gender classification of roles, self-identity of women; cost effectiveness of rice production and the economic empowerment of women.