from DION HENRICK in Cape Town
Western Africa Bureau
CAPE TOWN, (CAJ News) – AFRICAN governments have been urged to put women at the centre of agrifood systems transformation to overcome today’s hunger and malnutrition crises.
Heifer International made the call ahead of the United Nations-declared International Year of the Woman Farmer and Gender in Food, Land and Water Systems Conference 2025, where researchers, policymakers and development leaders are examining how gender equality can drive more sustainable, resilient and equitable food systems.
“Women farmers are at the heart of many rural economies, yet their voices remain too often absent from the decisions that shape food systems,” said Surita Sandosham, President and Chief Executive Officer of Heifer International.
“Without putting women at the center of food systems transformation, the world will fall short on its food security and climate goals.”
Sandosham was speaking at a conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
Sandosham said as global leaders in the city discuss the next phase of food systems transformation, they have an opportunity and responsibility to ensure women farmers are a leading part of it.
“A failure to dismantle the barriers to participation for women farmers will mean a continuation of this fight with one hand tied behind our backs — a fight that we cannot afford to lose.”
Analysis indicates that the gender gap in agriculture deprives the world of additional food supplies that could lift 45 million people out of food insecurity.
Closing both the gender gap and the wage gap in jobs across the agrifood sector would be enough to increase global gross domestic product (GDP) by 1 percent and reduce global food insecurity by about two percentage points.
Across Southern Africa, Heifer has long invested in gender-focused programs that demonstrate women’s leadership in action.
In Zambia, its recently concluded Women’s Economic Empowerment initiative has supported thousands of women smallholders to organize in cooperatives, access finance and adopt climate-smart livestock and crop practices.
In South Africa, Heifer and partners have helped rural women build sustainable livelihoods through its signature Passing on the Gift model, which pairs animal assets with intensive training and peer-to-peer support.
In Tanzania, some 88 0000 smallholder dairy farmers are benefitting from the Inclusive Processor-Producer Partnerships in Dairy (TI3P) project, which empowers women through technical and business training.
– CAJ News