Gender and youth

International Women's Day, 8 March 2023: women, communication, ICT, agriculture.

The United Nations theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2023 is “DigitALL – Innovation and technology for gender equality”. It aims to leverage the transformative power of inclusive digitalization and innovation for rural women and girls. International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day to commemorate and uphold women’s achievements and raise awareness on a reconfirming commitment to gender equality. It also marks a call to action for accelerating gender

The WRF and the Forest and Farm Facility promote the catalytic role of cooperativism in empowering rural women

As a result of the project implemented in 2021 and 2022, the WRF and the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), in close collaboration with six regional agricultural organizations in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, promote the central role that associations and cooperatives in the empowerment and resilience of rural women. The project identified and analyzed successful experiences to pinpoint the key elements for success, the main challenges, and the role of cooperatives

African countries celebrate the importance of fish industries employing 5.4 million people and providing essential nutrition

In rural Malawi, small-scale fisheries and aquaculture produce the most readily available animal-sourced foods – and much vital protein. It’s the same in Zambia. And, both countries are land-locked too, with no accessible coast to harvest fish from. That’s quite a contribution from the industries, often family and community-run. It’s a similar story in many African countries. Artisanal fisheries and aquaculture are important across Africa, with annual production of 5.2

[SAVE THE DATE!] Webinar on April 26 - Cycle of exchanges: rural women and cooperativism

The WRF, together with six participating member organisations, will organise the second webinar of the series Rural Women and Cooperativism on 26 April. Three experiences of women’s farming groups or cooperatives in Madagascar, Nicaragua and Tanzania will be presented.  The Rural Women and Cooperativism virtual exchange cycle aim to promote the catalytic role of association and cooperativism in the economic empowerment and resilience building of rural women. More than 200

Julieth Muunga, runner-up for the 2022 Liz Hughes Award for Her Farm Radio

At Radio Maria in Tanzania, Julieth Muunga is the sole presenter and producer of a 30-minute program called Jinsia na Maendeleo (Gender and Development), which was named the runner-up for the 2022 Liz Hughes Award for Her Farm Radio. Ms. Muunga started broadcasting in 2007 as a volunteer at two different radio stations while studying for a university certificate in Journalism at the University of Dar es Salaam. When she began her

Farming pays – Graduate Farmer tells the youth

Emmanuel Yaw Asamoah, a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture graduate from the University of College of Agriculture and environmental studies has advocated for more youth to venture into the agricultural sector. According to the 27 year old farmer, the sector is lucrative if given the necessary commitment. In an interview with agrighanaonline.com, Mr. Asamoah said he would therefore recommend farming to every hardworking person and especially the youth as a means

Ghana women farmers partner to build a soapmaking business

Farmers organizations have improved entrepreneurial skills and financial management skills for farmers Farmers in Adansi South, a forested district of Ghana, known for their production of rice, cassava, plantain, maize and vegetables, used to make little profit from their farms, due to little or no access to market opportunities. To improve the farmers’ livelihoods, the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) programme through the Kokoo Pa Farmers Association has given the

Reflecting on a discussion about gender equality

For four weeks at the beginning of 2021, Farm Radio International brought together our broadcasting partners from across Africa for an online discussion about gender equality. From Jan. 11 to Feb. 5, broadcasters and subject-matter specialists came together to share their experiences and to learn from each other. The discussion took place in English on Farm Radio’s online platform, and in French in a WhatsApp group. The discussion was active

Radio Communautaire Salama: Grand Prize Winner of the 2021 Liz Hughes Award

When you tune into Radio Communautaire Salama in Butembo, DRC, on Saturday afternoons, you hear broadcasters tackle the serious issue of sexual and gender-based violence. It’s an issue that is important to listeners but, according to the production team, often overlooked. Station manager Jeremie Kyaswekera says, “Our programs pass the mic to those the press forgets.” The program is called Tupiganishe Ujeuri Dhidi Ya Wanawake, which means “Fighting violence against

If you can think it, you can do it: The story of Lizzy Idoko

Young people in Africa should be encouraged to take part in Agriculture. This is a growing sector in need of young innovative minds to help improve the economy of African countries as well as create job opportunities. Lizzy Idoko is a young Nigerian female farmer, who has taken an initiative to improve Irish potatoes farming in Nigeria with hopes to eventually expand globally. Lizzy is a university graduate of History