The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with the International Centre for Environmental Health and Development and other stakeholders, has initiated the review of the National Gender Policy on Agriculture.
The effort aims to promote sustainable farming practices, empower farmers—especially women—and strengthen food security across the nation.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Information Officer of the FMAFS, Eremah Anthonia, following a recent workshop held in Abuja to discuss the policy review.
Speaking during the event, Permanent Secretary of the FMAFS, Marcus Ogunbiyi, represented by Director of Special Duties, Kachallah Damaturu, explained that the policy, launched on October 31, 2019, was due for review after its five-year operational period.
“The policy has been operational since its launch, and it is pivotal in addressing the unique challenges faced by rural women farmers, who are the backbone of the agriculture sector,” Ogunbiyi said.
Ogunbiyi stressed the importance of collaboration in ensuring the policy’s impact, noting, “We must recognise the importance of a collaborative approach. We will work closely with ICEHD, government and other non-government organisations, civil society, and the private sectors to ensure our efforts are complementary and effective.”
In her remarks, Damaturu highlighted that the policy review was a strategic opportunity to empower women in agriculture.
“We seek to identify gaps in our current policy framework and explore innovative strategies that can empower women in agriculture. Your contributions are invaluable as we strive for a more inclusive agricultural landscape,” she stated.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Maryam Keshinro, represented by Director of Gender Affairs, Adamu Web, emphasized that the review process would refine the policy to address the evolving needs of agricultural stakeholders.
“This is a call to action for all stakeholders—government, private sector, civil society, and development partners—to work collaboratively and purposefully towards translating the policy into impactful change,” Keshinro said.
The workshop also featured presentations by the National Gender Steering Committee, discussions on the existing policy, and an analysis of gender-based violence within agrifood systems.
Stakeholders in attendance included representatives from the National Council of Climate Change, the Federal Ministry of Environment, women farmers’ associations and cooperatives, AGRA, Policy Innovation Centre, and Plan International, among others.
