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Oxfam calls for action on women leadership in agriculture at AU Summit

According to Oxfam women are the majority actors in Africa’s agricultural value chains

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by MARTIN MWITA

Kenya12 January 2025 - 10:40
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In Summary


  • Oxfam reaffirmed its commitment to tackling inequalities within Africa’s agri-food systems.
  • It has called for strategic partnerships and alliances to promote women leadership within the agri-food system.

Oxfam International headquarters at The Atrium along Chaka Road in Nairobi/FILE

UK-based NGO Oxfam has called for more women involvement in decision making and development of agriculture in Africa to help drive growth, mainly in countries whose economies heavily depend on the sector.

According to Oxfam and its partners, women constitute the majority of actors in Africa’s agricultural value chains, but continue to face barriers such as unequal access to resources, limited policy representation and systemic gender disparities.

These hinder their productivity and participation in the sector.

Without deliberate action, these inequities will hinder Africa’s progress toward sustainable agricultural growth and food security, experts from the entity said at the ongoing African Union Summit on Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), being held in Kampala.

The Summit presents a pivotal moment for the continent to transform agri-food systems into sustainable livelihoods for all.

Oxfam said it stands in solidarity with these efforts by echoing its policy position on inclusive agri-food systems.

In alignment with the Kampala Declaration’s sub-theme, “Advancing Inclusivity and Equitable Livelihoods,” Oxfam reaffirmed its commitment to tackling inequalities within Africa’s agri-food systems.

Oxfam in Africa’s Just Economies Lead, Francis Agbere, noted that women’s leadership, labor and knowledge are the backbone of African agriculture, yet they continue to face significant barriers in access to land, credit, and markets.

“African governments must commit to transforming agricultural policies and systems to empower women and small holder farmers, ensuring their voices are not only heard but central to the continent’s agricultural and economic policy decisions and development, “ Agbere said.

The NGO has called on African leaders and the African Union Commission to establish comprehensive mechanisms for gender-disaggregated data and gender-responsive expenditure in the agri-food system.

It also wants facilitation for women and small holder farmer’s active participation in policymaking processes, prioritised access to credit and customised financial products for women farmers and development and implementation of culturally sensitive approaches to address traditional norms and legal restrictions limiting women’s economic empowerment.

Further, it has called for strategic partnerships and alliances between AU member states and grassroots women’s groups to promote women leadership within the agri-food system.

Oxfam said it is dedicated to fostering inclusive growth that empowers communities and ensures lasting prosperity for the continent as guided by the CAADP priorities for 2026–2035.

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