Daniel Adaji, Abuja
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Gender Equality Initiative, through its HER+ initiative, has emphasised the urgent need for improved access to agricultural lands and resources for women.
This plea was made during a high-level dialogue convened on Wednesday 2024, in Abuja, aimed at addressing the barriers women face in Nigeria’s agrifood sector.
The lead for the HER+ Initiative’s voice work package, Jordan Kyle stressed the importance of integrating women’s perspectives into agricultural policies.
“Women are differently affected by climate shocks. Solutions designed without women’s voices are unlikely to work effectively for them,” she said.
She highlighted the necessity for increased representation of women in decision-making bodies to ensure policies consider gendered effects, stating, “Transforming societal norms requires women to have a seat at the table.”
The dialogue gathered a diverse array of stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organisations, and researchers, to explore innovative approaches to harness women’s potential in agriculture.
A key focus was the Women Empowerment in Agrifood Governance framework developed by CGIAR researchers, which aims to enhance women’s influence in policy-making.
“In Nigeria, women are often excluded from governance institutions. WEAGov serves as a tool to identify entry points for increasing women’s policy influence,” Kyle noted.
Deputy Director of Gender Mainstreaming at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs. Ifeoma Anyanwu emphasised the need for actionable triggers to fund and implement policies.
“WEAGov is serving as a trigger to activate attention among policymakers,” she asserted.
Participants voiced concerns regarding the societal norms that inhibit women’s efficiency in the agrifood sector.
A Post-Doctorate Fellow from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture highlighted significant gender-based restrictions women face.
“Women encounter limitations in financial autonomy, technology usage, and leadership roles,” she stated, adding that these norms significantly hinder women’s productivity.
Professor Anthony Onoja from the University of Port Harcourt pointed to climate change as a critical factor exacerbating women’s vulnerabilities in agriculture.
“Climate change disproportionately affects developing countries like Nigeria. Women vulnerability stems from systemic disempowerment, including limited voice and representation,” he said .
He called for a collaborative approach to climate change solutions, emphasizing the need for women’s inclusion in decision-making processes.
A Programme Officer at the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Adedeji Tolu echoed these sentiments, stating, “Women become more vulnerable due to their disempowerment in terms of voice and financial autonomy. We need to co-design research that includes women in climate change adaptation strategies.”
The opening remarks by Hyacinth Edeh underscored the importance of women’s roles in agricultural sustainability.
“Women represent about 65 per cent of the rural labor force. To close the gender gaps in the agricultural sector, we need to ensure that women are central to food security solutions,” he noted.
Director of Business Development and Innovation at ActionAid Nigeria, Nkechi Ilochi-Kanny highlighted the need for collective action in addressing gender inequality.
“Voice is power. Dismantling patriarchal biases must be done intentionally. Women’s leadership is essential to achieving gender equality and empowerment,” he said.
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