The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Gender Equality Initiative, through its HER+ initiative, has emphasized the urgent need for improved access to agricultural land and resources for women.
This call to action was made during a high-level dialogue held on October 9, 2024, in Abuja, aimed at addressing barriers women face in Nigeria’s agrifood sector.
The dialogue served as a platform for stakeholders from government, civil society, and academia to collaborate on innovative approaches that recognize women as essential agents of change in agriculture.
Jordan Kyle, lead for the HER+ Initiative’s voice work package, highlighted the importance of integrating women’s perspectives into agricultural policies, stating, “Women are differently affected by climate shocks. Solutions designed without women’s voices are unlikely to work effectively for them.”
She stressed that transforming societal norms requires women to have a seat at the decision-making table.
The event gathered a various range of stakeholders, including government representatives and researchers, to explore strategies for enhancing women’s influence in policy-making. A key focus was the Women Empowerment in Agrifood Governance (WEAGov) framework developed by CGIAR researchers, which aims to increase women’s policy influence. “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.
Mrs. Ifeoma Anyanwu, Deputy Director of Gender Mainstreaming at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized the need for actionable steps to fund and implement policies, stating, “WEAGov is serving as a trigger to activate attention among policymakers.”
Participants expressed concerns about societal norms that limit women’s effectiveness in the agrifood sector. A Post-Doctorate Fellow from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture noted significant gender-based restrictions, including limitations in financial autonomy, technology access, and leadership roles.
Professor Anthony Onoja, President of the Agricultural Policy Research Network and Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Development at the University of Port Harcourt, discussed the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations, particularly women, who face systemic disempowerment. He advocated for women’s inclusion in climate change adaptation research and decision-making processes, proposing that empowering women through cooperatives and engaging religious leaders can enhance their economic participation and resilience.
Jumoke Adeyeye, a Gender Specialist at IITA, underscored the significance of CGIAR’s focus on gender and climate change. She stated that the initiative aims to enhance women’s economic resilience by addressing transformative changes and improving governance and policy issues.
A Program Officer at the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Adedeji Tolu, echoed the need for co-designed research that includes women in climate change adaptation strategies. He remarked, “Women become more vulnerable due to their disempowerment in terms of voice and financial autonomy.”
Hyacinth Edeh’s opening remarks emphasized the critical roles women play in agricultural sustainability, noting that women represent about 65 percent 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 stated.
Nkechi Ilochi-Kanny, Director of Business Development and Innovation at ActionAid Nigeria, highlighted the necessity for collective action to address gender inequality. “Voice is power. Dismantling patriarchal biases must be done intentionally. Women’s leadership is essential to achieving gender equality and empowerment,” she said.
At the forum it was highlighted tha women Nigeria face significant barriers to owning land and achieving economic empowerment due to societal norms requiring husband’s permission to control productive assets.
This severely limits women’s economic power and decision-making capabilities, forcing them to seek approval for basic business decisions.
To change the narratives the stakeholders advocated Community Dialogues to raise awareness and promote discussions on improving women’s access to land and resources Radio Programs featuring experts and local leaders to promote gender equality, Gender Dialogue engaging community, family, and governmental levels to change attitudes toward women’s rights