Gender and youth

PAFO Women's Colleges: Empower, strengthen rural women, influence
Gender and youth

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, it is essential to reflect on the progress made in gender equality, particularly in critical sectors for global sustainability, such as agriculture. The commitment of PAFO to gender inclusivity in agriculture is a commendable step towards a more equitable and resilient future. By establishing the Continental Women’s College within PAFO, the pan-African organization aims to amplify the voices of rural women, ensuring they

Special Feature: International Women’s Day 2024 - Invest in Women: Accelerating Progress.
Gender and youth

The world unites this International Women’s Day 2024 under the theme Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress. As the United Nations emphasizes, investing in women is not just the right thing to do. It is essential for solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Across Africa, women are leading the charge in various sectors, from agriculture and business to climate action and social justice. Yet, they continue to face significant

From foliage to fortune: The empowerment of women in Zondoma through non-timber forest products (NTFPs)
Gender and youth

In the heart of Burkina Faso, a silent yet powerful revolution is taking shape, transforming the lives of rural women and redefining the management of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). This is the story of the Association for Development through Existing Resources and Services in the Sahel (ADRESSE), an organization that has made the valorization of NTFPs in the Zondoma province a model for sustainable local development and women’s empowerment. This

“Women can do it too!” Young women in trades supported in first quiz day
Gender and youth

The cheers erupting from more than 500 students filling the auditorium at Kumasi Technical Institute in Ghana could be mistaken for cheers inspired by a football match. But instead of a football match, the cheers were in support of student participants in the first TVET Quiz competition, which took place on Jan. 18 and 19, 2024. The event was part of an effort to encourage young women in technical and

Identifying opportunities for youth in agrifood systems in Africa
Gender and youth

With a median age of 19, Africa has the youngest population in the world. This demographic dynamism presents a compelling case for governments, international organizations, the private sector, and more to prioritize the creation of professional opportunities for youth across the continent. At the event convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU), AGRA and the CGIAR Gender Platform

Seeds of change: The Regional College of Women of ROPPA plants the seeds of agricultural future in Tunis
Gender and youth

In the orchards of innovation and on the fertile grounds of mutual support, the Regional College of Women of ROPPA (RCW) has left its mark on the PAFO Rural Women’s Forum in Tunis from 23 to 24 October 2023. This gathering, which brought together rural women from all five regions of Africa, was a crucible of enriching exchanges and mutual strengthening. Mrs. Halima TIOUSSO, president of the College, eloquently shared

Building a commitment to ease the burden of unpaid care for women across sub-Saharan Africa
Gender and youth

This International Day of Care and Support, Farm Radio is pleased to announce its new Knowledge Sharing About Unpaid Care in sub-Saharan Africa project. Care work — caring for children, the elderly and other vulnerable people, as well as performing other household chores — often falls to women. Globally, women perform 76.2 per cent of the total amount of unpaid care work — spending three times more time on it than men.

EVENT: PAFO 6th General Assembly and Events (October 23 - 28, 2023)
Gender and youth

The Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) will hold its 6th Ordinary General Assembly in Tunis, Tunisia, from October 23 to 28, 2023. It will be hosted by the Maghreb and North African Farmers’ Union (UMNAGRI), a member of PAFO. Several events will be organized on this occasion, including the Rural Women’s Forum, the Agroecology Workshop, the Workshop on “Mapping of Farmer Organizations (FOs) and African Local Agricultural Products,” the Mid-Term Evaluation

Celebrating rural women on the airwaves
Gender and youth

International Day of Rural Women is observed on October 15 every year to recognize their vital role in food systems and rural development. From the production of crops to the processing, preparation and distribution of food, women’s work paid and unpaid feeds their families, communities and the world. However, they do not exercise equal power with men, and therefore earn less income and experience higher food insecurity. To mark and

Elearning opportunity: Women and youth empowerment in agriculture in Africa in the context of AfCFTA
Gender and youth

Join this online learning opportunity, taking place from Nov. 6 to Dec. 8, in English and French. Deadline to apply is Nov. 3. Apply here: https://idep-applications.uneca.org/?language=en Background Women make up more than 50% of Africa’s population and 80% of them reside in rural areas. Over 60% are employment in rural areas in the agriculture sector . The trend is not much different for youth. They are ill-equipped and lack the