Nine fellows from Nigeria participating in the The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Gender Responsive Agricultural Systems Policy (GRASP) fellowship has spotlighted the urgent need for gender inclusion in national agricultural policies during a key side event at the Gender and Inclusion Summit (GIS) 2024.
The event, themed “Amplifying the Blind Spots: Gender Inclusion at the Centre of National Agricultural Policy,” brought together global, regional, and national experts to discuss policy innovation and gender inclusion in Nigeria’s agrifood systems.
Presenting their Policy Innovation Projects (PIPs) at the event convened by AWARD, the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) and the CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform on Thursday in Abuja, the fellows highlighted their policy research evidence on gender gaps in Nigeria’s Agricultural policies specifically in nutrition, agricultural finance, seed systems, livestock, agricultural extension, gender-based violence in agriculture, climate resilient, aquaculture and fisheries sectors.
Speaking at the event, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Federal Republic of Nigeria National Assembly, applauded the fellows for the policy research evidence and committed to working with the fellows to achieve gender responsive policies in the agricultural sector.
The Senate Committee Chairman on Women Affairs who was represented by Pharm. Patricia Oyagha, noted that women farmers in agriculture play a vital role in ensuring food security, fostering sustainable agriculture, and driving rural development.
“If we want to have sustainable food security, we must bring women to the table because of their potential and contribution to food production”.
Senator Kingibe said that legislators were very critical actors in ensuring gender action policies and added that her office is open to support the fellows to ensure that gender responsiveness is fully achieved.
Speaking to AgroNigeria at the event, Dr. Siyanbola Omitoyin, from the Department of Aquaculture and Fishery Management at the University of Ibadan, noted her role as a mentor, who attended the event to support her mentee, Dr. Temitayo Adeyemo, who is part of the GRASP fellowship.
“I’m here as a mentor to support my mentee. This fellowship focuses on empowering young women to address gender issues in agricultural policy,” Omitoyin explained.
She further highlighted the significance of the theme, noting that women are often underrepresented in policy discussions.
“You discover that in every phase of life, women are not really captured. But when it comes to policy, there is a need for women to have a voice,” she said.
“If there are no women to talk about policies that affect women, then inclusiveness is missing. That’s why the Gender Responsive Agricultural Systems Policy fellowship is crucial – it raises young women to speak on policy issues and develop programs that enhance or create new policies for agriculture in Nigeria.”
AWARD, through its GRASP fellowship, is equipping young women with the skills and knowledge to participate in policy discussions, ensuring that gender inclusion becomes a priority in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Mrs Iyabo Lawal Mustapha, Assistant Director, Environment & Climate Unit, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security who is a mentor to Mrs Roshidat Oyinlola, a GRASP fellow called on the need to develop and utilise gender-disaggregated data to understand the specific needs of different demographics, specifically women.