High-Level Breakfast Meeting Spotlights Women’s Empowerment in African Agriculture

The 7th High-Level Breakfast Meeting of the Empowering Women in Agriculture (EWA) initiative, aligned with the African Union Commission on Food and Security, is set to commend significant strides in empowering women in agriculture. Spearheaded by HE Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and HE Olusegun Obasanjo, former Presidents of Liberia and Nigeria respectively, EWA stands as a beacon of change recognized by the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN).

This distinguished event, scheduled for February 16th, 2024, in Addis Ababa during the 37th African Union summit, promises to unite diverse stakeholders. From government agencies to corporate partners, NGOs, and community leaders, participants will converge to highlight tangible impacts and explore avenues for sustained progress.

Despite constituting 43% of the agricultural labor force in developing countries, women face barriers to resources, leading to reduced productivity. The FAO identifies gender equality in access to resources as a key driver for global farm yield increases, and initiatives like EWA aim to bridge this gap.

Africa’s development agendas, including Agenda 2063 and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, emphasize gender equality and food security. The Malabo Declaration and CAADP exemplify the AU’s commitment to supporting women farmers, yet more efforts are needed to prioritize women in agricultural policies and programs.

Integration of emerging technologies and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement hold promise for gender equality and economic growth in agriculture. The upcoming EWA meeting, themed “Scaling up empowerment: Results showcase and partnerships building for the empowerment of women in agriculture,” will celebrate achievements, foster collaborations, and pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous agricultural sector in Africa.

As the continent embraces innovation and collaboration, EWA stands poised to drive positive change, enhance food security, and empower women as key drivers of agricultural transformation.