Report Calls For Increased Empowerment For African Women In Agri-Food Systems

By Jean-Pierre

Poor working conditions, food insecurity, climate change, and limited access to ressources are major challenges African women in Agri-food systems are facing, the preliminary findings of a report reveal.

The report titled ‘The Status of Women in Agri-food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa’ shows women are the most vulnerable in the agriculture sector, yet they play a key role in production.

Data from the ongoing study that was presented on Thursday, during the Science Week in Nairobi, Kenya show 45 percent of people in Agri-food systems (AFS) are women. The report, prepared by a consortium led by the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development, Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Natural Resources Institute from the University of Greenwich; highlights major challenges to women development in Agri-food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa( SSA).

According to the status of Women in agri-food systems report, under half (49 % ) of AFS workers in Sub-Saharan Africa are women, that is 11 percent higher than the global average. Data also show women are 45 percent of people in Agricultural employment ( crop, livestock, fisheries and forestry )in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The new report reveals, Eastern and Central Africa dominate with the highest number of women employments in Agriculture with 48 percent. Also, women are the majority in off-farm work (beyond primary production) in AFS at 59 percent.

During the report presentation participants, women leaders from various organisations involved in Agriculture development called on all stakeholders to support women in AFS through policies and legislations that will make women benefit more from their labour in the Agri-food systems.

Speakers called for involvement of men in the conversation about the status of women in AFS, support for women’s economic empowerment and inclusion in the higher part of the value chain of the agriculture production.

Additionally, the study data show, Agri-food systems are more important for women’s livelihoods-employment is more important for women compared to men. Data show 71 percent of working women and 66 percent of working men in Sub-Saharan Africa are employed in Agri-food systems.

While Agriculture employment has reduced overall in SSA ( 2005-2021) off-farm AFS employment has grown, reveals the ongoing study. Women off farm AFS employment grew in all regions except Southern Africa, noted the study, adding “growth from Agro-industry development and policies, increasing urbanisation, rising incomes and demand for food away from home.”

Despite diversity in Agri-food system women’s labour, the work is often precarious. “ There is substantial socio-economic and cultural diversity among women working in AFS which determines their roles and status in AFS- from market queens to casual labourers.”

The report states women are overrepresented among irregular, informal, lower paid, part-time, low-skilled workers and experience poor working experience.

For instance, migrant women workers in the Ghanaian cocoa sector undertake unpaid labour as a condition of employment. Additionally, the study says women face unsafe and unhealthy working conditions such as smoke inhalation, violence, reproductive issues associated with pesticides.

Other trends the report reveals include inequalities in unpaid care work, food insecurity that affects more women than men, gender inequality, climate change and environment degradation. The presentation for the report concludes with recommendations for women’s empowerment and AFS transformation. The final report will be released in mid-2025 and is expected to provide the most up-to-date data on the status of women in AFS in SSA.