The European Development Days event this year is focusing on of 15 topics, centred on the five main themes of people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.
This year, which marks EDD's tenth anniversary, the forum is expected to attract some 6,000 visitors from around the world. One of the showcases this year is entitled "Gender and agricultural entrepreneurship: Unlocking women's full potential through agricultural empowerment".
With women comprising about 40 % of the agricultural labour force and playing a crucial role in food production, processing and marketing of produce along agricultural value chains, there is a global need to tackle the significant discrimination in access to productive resources and economic opportunities in agriculture. It is essential to empower rural women and girls to reduce poverty, end hunger and make progress on the SDGs.
Presented on June 16th in Brussels, an event organised by UN agencies, Oxfam and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation will showcase how women in agribusiness can be the drivers of positive change in the social and economic development of their communities.
Women comprise about 40 % of the agricultural labour force and playing a crucial role in food production, processing and marketing of produce along agricultural value chains.
Key speakers at the event include Halimatou Moussa Idi as the Joint Programme Coordinator for Rural Women's Economic Empowerment, Carolina Chelele as Farmer and Winner of the Female Food Hero initiative, and Kawinzi Muiu: the Director of Gender World Food Programme.
With women spending on average 85–90% of their time each day on household food preparation, child care and other household chores, women farmers face a triple work burden in the productive, reproductive and social spheres.
However, research from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation has proven that "when rural women have equal access as men to resources, assets, services and economic opportunities, they become a key driving force against rural poverty. Enabling women to participate fully in household and community decision-making also translates into improved well-being and better prospects for children, thereby reducing poverty for future generations and contributing to long-term socio-economic development.
Therefore, closing the “gender gap” in access to assets, resources, services and opportunities has been identified as one of the most effective approaches to combat rural poverty and promote agriculture and rural development."
To learn more about gender and agricultural entrepreneurship, watch the video below:
Click here to learn more and register for the "Gender and agricultural entrepreneurship" event.
Photo credits: Getty Images/Issouf Sanogo
