During the 2024 International Day of Rural Women Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), emphasized the critical need for investing in rural women. The summit, themed “Empowering Women Living in Rural Areas through Education and Access to Technology: Bridging the Gap for Inclusive and Sustainable Agri-Food Systems in Africa,” gathered stakeholders to focus on gender empowerment in agriculture.
Mrs. Patricia Achii from the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) shared her success in establishing an adult literacy center for women, with 1,000 women having graduated, now equipped to manage their farming as businesses. Similarly, Mrs. Temilade Ebiware, a beneficiary of the IFAD-LIFE-ND program, highlighted the impact of climate-smart agriculture training on her aquaculture business.
IFAD’s Nigeria Country Director, Mrs. Dede Ekoue, spotlighted the organization’s initiatives aimed at supporting smallholder women farmers, such as the Gender Action Learning Systems (GALS), which helps achieve a more balanced sharing of economic benefits and responsibilities between women and men.
Ambassador Josefa Sacko, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, reinforced the critical role rural women play in Africa’s agricultural landscape, while also noting the barriers they face, such as limited access to education and productive resources. She confirmed the African Union’s commitment to crafting a policy framework to enhance the contributions of women in agriculture, including the forthcoming Platform for African Women in Agriculture.
The event concluded with a roadmap for action and an exhibition showcasing best practices, promoting networking and knowledge exchange among rural women and strategic actors to empower women and youth for sustainable food security and economic growth. Source: Punch
Expert Review for Agri-food Stakeholders
The empowerment of rural women through education, technology, and access to resources is key to driving inclusive agricultural development in Nigeria and across Africa. The International Day of Rural Women Summit underscores the critical role women play in agri-food systems and highlights the ongoing challenges they face, such as limited access to education, financing, and markets.
Initiatives like the Gender Action Learning Systems (GALS) and climate-smart agriculture training programs demonstrate the tangible benefits of equipping women with the skills and resources to manage their farms as businesses. As demonstrated by Mrs. Achii and Mrs. Ebiware, educated and technologically empowered women farmers can significantly boost productivity, enhance food security, and contribute to sustainable income generation.
For stakeholders, the lessons from IFAD-backed programs offer a replicable model. Providing rural women with access to education, technology, and capacity-building initiatives not only strengthens their agricultural practices but also elevates their role in household decision-making and community leadership. This comprehensive approach to women’s empowerment in agriculture can help bridge existing gaps, ensuring more equitable growth and greater resilience within rural communities.
Given the African Union’s commitment to establishing the Platform for African Women in Agriculture, stakeholders should explore collaborations to expand similar initiatives that address rural women’s challenges, create more inclusive value chains, and improve food security.
