s:1669:"TI The Women Shellfishers and Food Security Project: Multivariate analysis of the theory of change model AU Crawford, B. AU Adu-Afarwuah, S. AU Oaks, B. AU Kyei-Arthur, F. AU Chuku, E. O. AU Okyere, I. AU Duguma, L. AU Carsan, S. AU McMullin, S. AU Muthee, K. AU Bah, A. AU Orero, L. AU Janha, F. AU Arnold, C. D. AU Kent, K. AB This report is a summary of a multivariate analysis of the theory of change model of the USAID Women Shellfishers and Food Security Project, which is a co-creation of the University of Rhode Island (URI) and partners from West Africa – the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana, the University of Ghana (UG), TRY Oyster Women’s Association (TRY) in The Gambia, World Agroforestry (ICRAF), and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This project seeks to address the need for greater attention to food security for women shellfishers and their families while improving biodiversity conservation of the ecosystems on which their livelihoods depend. The key project components are to: 1) Conduct the first-ever participatory regional assessment of the situation, unmet needs, and promising approaches to shellfish co-management led by women across the eleven countries in West Africa. 2) Elaborate and test elements of models based on existing approaches through site-based research in The Gambia and Ghana to strengthen the evidence base for successful elements of the model. 3) Foster a community of practice around the development and dissemination of a toolkit on a rights-based,ecosystem-based, participatory co-management of shellfish by women in mangrove ecosystems in West Africa. ";