Gender and youth

Harvesting Hope: Empowering Women Farmers for Higher Healthy Food Production in Northern Ghana

In Ghana, access to key agricultural productive assets, such as seeds, fertilizers, water and land, is critical to agricultural productivity and food security, especially for women and youth. This disparity is particularly pronounced in some parts of Ghana, where traditional norms and cultural practices often restrict women’s access to agricultural inputs and tools, relegating them to secondary roles in agriculture despite their significant contributions to food production and household nutrition.

African Youth Participate in Formation Sessions in South Africa, Ethiopia, and Mauritius

Between October and December 2024, African youth participated in various training (formation) sessions focused on global contextual analysis, political debates, social movement building, food sovereignty, and youth participation. These events, held in South Africa, Ethiopia, and Mauritius, fostered exchanges and connections to enhance and strengthen youth-driven actions for 2025 and beyond. Nkrumah School – Training of Trainers in Political Education, South Africa The first gathering occurred from September 20th to

Large-scale investment in Farmer Field Schools in Kenya helps expand farmers’ knowledge and increase their incomes

For a few months now, Esther Munani Kyalo’s routine has changed. A mother of three living in the Miambani ward in Kitui county, Kenya, she has followed a new ritual every Tuesday since the Kavakaky Farmer Field School was launched. Together with around 35 other women from her area, she walks to a nearby house where the group meets and breeds chicks in the small but brand-new poultry house. Sitting

Special feature: World Fisheries Day 2024 -The role of small-scale fisheries in building a resilient future

On 21 November 2024, World Fisheries Day is celebrated worldwide to highlight the vital role of fisheries in providing food, supporting livelihoods, and conserving biodiversity. This day emphasizes the importance of sustainable fishing and the responsible management of aquatic resources to ensure food security and socio-economic growth for future generations. Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached an all-time high of 223.2 million tonnes in 2022, with 185.4 million tonnes coming

Gender and climate-resilient agriculture: A review of concepts and practical resources in support of gender-transformative change

To advance the use of gender-transformative approaches in climate-resilient agriculture (CRA), a review of practical resources that could support researchers and practitioners in applying gender and CRA was undertaken. The review consolidates and assesses diverse, practical resources—including research tools, methods and broader guidance—that aim to address gender inequalities/inequities, climate and agriculture, albeit to varying degrees. A conceptual framework was developed to guide the review. This framework helped establish the gender

International Youth Day 2024: Youth digital pathways for sustainable development

August 12, 2024, marks International Youth Day, a day dedicated to showcasing the potential and addressing the challenges faced by young people globally. Often considered “digital natives,” young people are at the forefront of innovating with new technologies. This year’s theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” highlights how digital innovation empowers youth to lead sustainable development. In a world where digital transformation is rapidly shaping

Young women and men in Somalia are embracing technology to promote peace

A short yet perilous seven-kilometre road connects the towns of Buufow and Shalanbood in southern Somalia. The once-prosperous agricultural area that produced fruits and vegetables for the region has experienced decades of conflict and destabilization. Just like most parts of the country, the region is severely affected by the ongoing drought. The two communities have had to cope with the increasing scarcity of natural resources from which to derive their

Creating opportunities for youth and women with digital agriculture

Agriculture, including fisheries and forestry, is facing many challenges that stem from a range of factors, including erratic weather patterns, changing demographics, turbulence in the global economy and conflicts. These factors exert unprecedented pressure on the world’s agrifood systems. Small-scale producers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly those in Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), are among the most vulnerable groups. Without sustainable agricultural production, many countries are unable to

Rural women: Strengthening leadership and influence

The leadership program dedicated to francophone rural women, launched last year, recently held its second edition. From May 27 to 31, 2024, in Munich, Germany, an intensive workshop brought together rural women from the 5 regions members of PAFO and their German counterparts from the German Rural Women’s Association (Dlv). Designed as an interactive training session, the workshop aimed to strengthen women’s decision-making skills within farmers’ organizations. Participants had the

Special feature: International Day of Potato 2024 – Harvesting diversity, feeding hope

The International Day of the Potato 2024, May 30, is celebrated under the theme “Harvesting diversity, feeding hope,” bringing together innovation, resilience, and hope across Africa. YenKasa Africa celebrates this day by showcasing various potato stories, highlighting the continent’s diverse efforts to improve agriculture and food security. Potatoes are a key crop across diverse farming systems globally. As the third most consumed food crop globally, they contribute to the food