The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), emphasized the pressing need for investment in rural women during the 2024 International Day of Rural Women Summit. This event took place on October 15 at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, gathering key stakeholders dedicated to empowering women in agriculture.
Mrs. Vera Onyeaka-Onyilo, Knowledge Management and Communications Coordinator for the IFAD-Value Chain Development Programme, shared insights about the summit’s focus. The theme, “Empowering Women Living in Rural Areas through Education and Access to Technology: Bridging the Gap for Inclusive and Sustainable Agri-Food Systems in Africa,” underscored the vital role of education and technology in enhancing agricultural practices.
During the discussions, Mrs. Patricia Achii, a panelist from the FGN/IFAD-Assisted Value Chain Development Programme, highlighted the significance of educational initiatives. She shared her success in establishing an adult literacy training center for women in her community, which has graduated around 1,000 participants. “These women are now empowered to manage their farming activities as businesses, reinforcing the idea that education and access to technology are critical,” Achii stated.
Similarly, Mrs. Temilade Ebiware, a beneficiary of the IFAD-Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Niger-Delta programme, spoke about her achievements in aquaculture. “Capacity building by LIFE-ND on climate-smart agriculture has equipped me with the knowledge to adapt to climate change in my business,” she noted.
Mrs. Dede Ekoue, Country Director of IFAD Nigeria, emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting smallholders, particularly rural women, in enhancing their incomes and market access. She explained that initiatives like the Gender Action Learning Systems aim to create a more equitable balance in workloads and economic benefits between women and men, empowering women to have a stronger voice within their households and communities.
The event also featured remarks from Ambassador Josefa Sacko, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the African Union. She acknowledged the crucial contributions of women to Africa’s agricultural landscape while highlighting the significant barriers they face, such as limited access to education, resources, and political representation. Ambassador Sacko affirmed the AU’s dedication to collaborating with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive policy framework for women in agriculture, which will guide the establishment of the Platform for African Women in Agriculture.
The summit concluded with a call-to-action roadmap and a marketplace exhibition showcasing best practices from IFAD projects and other participants. Mrs. Onyeaka-Onyilo noted that this platform facilitated networking among rural women and strategic actors, promoting the exchange of best practices to empower women and youth for sustainable food security and improved livelihoods.
Written By; Christopher Emuakpeje