The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with the International Centre for Environmental Health and Development (ICEHD) and other stakeholders, has developed a strategy to review the National Gender Policy on Agriculture.
This initiative aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices, empower farmers and enhance food security.
During a recent workshop held in Abuja, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, addressed attendees through the director of special duties, Mrs. Kachallah Damaturu. He emphasised that the purpose of the meeting was to reassess the National Gender Policy on Agriculture, which has been in effect for five years.
Ogunbiyi pointed out that the policy has been operational since its launch on October 31, 2019 and plays a crucial role in addressing the specific challenges faced by rural women farmers, who are the backbone of the agriculture sector. He stressed that the ministry’s mission aligns with the goals of ICEHD and acknowledged that collaboration is vital for driving meaningful change.
He stated, “We must recognise the importance of a collaborative approach. We will work closely with ICEHD, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society and the private sector to ensure our efforts are complementary and effective.”
In her welcome address, Damaturu highlighted that reviewing the gender policy is not merely an administrative task but an opportunity to enhance women’s participation, address barriers they face, and ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities. “We seek to identify gaps in our current policy framework and explore innovative strategies that can empower women in agriculture. Your contributions are invaluable as we strive for a more inclusive agricultural landscape,” Damaturu added.
In her goodwill message, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Maryam Keshinro represented by director of gender affairs, Adamu Samaila Web stated that the review offers an opportunity to refine and strengthen the policy to reflect the evolving needs of women, men, and youth in the agriculture sector. She emphasised that this is a crucial moment to ensure that the voices of those most affected by systemic inequalities are heard and their contributions recognised. Keshinro called for collaboration among all stakeholders, including the government, private sector, civil society and development partners, to purposefully translate the policy into meaningful change.
A statement from the ministry’s director of information, signed by Mrs. Anthonia Eremah, highlighted key aspects of the event, including discussions on the policy review process conducted by the National Gender Steering Committee, an overview of the existing policy, the journey of policy implementation thus far, and a presentation on the findings of a situational analysis of gender-based violence in agrifood systems.
Representatives from various organizations were in attendance, including the National Council of Climate Change (NCCC), the Federal Ministry of Environment, women farmers’ associations and cooperatives, AGRA, the Policy Innovation Centre, Plan International and others.
