By John Kariuki
As the world prepares to mark International Women’s Day 2026 on Sunday under the United Nations theme “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” leading agricultural and research institutions have called for urgent, concrete measures to strengthen women’s rights and leadership in agrifood systems.
At a high-level meeting in Nairobi, convened by the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development, the CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion Accelerator, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology and CIFOR-ICRAF, stakeholders from across Kenya gathered to address systemic barriers limiting women’s full participation in food systems.
The forum brought together researchers, policymakers, investors, development partners and women farmers, focusing on dismantling obstacles that continue to undermine women’s contributions to agriculture and food value chains.
Despite clear evidence that women play a central role in food production, processing and marketing, speakers noted that their work remains undervalued and poorly supported. Many operate in informal and labour-intensive segments, often under irregular and low-paying conditions.
Women also face persistent challenges, including limited access to land ownership, credit facilities, modern technology, education, extension services and meaningful participation in decision-making at household, community and national levels.
Nicoline de Haan, Director of the CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion Accelerator, said the International Year of the Woman Farmer offers an opportunity to accelerate reforms and ensure food systems work for women. She stressed that scientific research must respond to the realities faced by smallholder households.
A recent report on the status of women in agrifood systems in sub-Saharan Africa shows that investing in women’s empowerment can unlock inclusive economic growth, boost food security and strengthen climate resilience. The findings reinforce calls to treat gender equality not only as a moral obligation but also as a strategic driver of sustainable development.
Dr Susan Kaaria, Director of AWARD, observed that more than 90 per cent of women engaged in food systems operate within informal sectors. She noted that many lack social protection and remain largely invisible in official data, weakening evidence-based policymaking.
She urged stakeholders to move beyond viewing women as beneficiaries of development programmes and instead recognize them as co-creators of solutions.
The Nairobi convening was structured as an action-oriented platform centred on women’s lived experiences. Participants explored ways to improve working conditions, expand access to productive resources, strengthen leadership pathways and amplify women’s voices in shaping equitable and resilient agrifood systems.
Stakeholders also underscored the importance of gender-disaggregated data to inform policies and ensure interventions respond effectively to the needs of both women and men along the agrifood value chain.
Aligned with the International Year of the Woman Farmer, the event spotlighted grassroots women farmers driving innovation in their communities. They showcased practical solutions that are boosting farm productivity while outlining structural reforms needed to transform food systems into inclusive engines of opportunity.
As global reflections on progress toward gender equality continue, the convening partners reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration among research institutions, governments, private sector actors and farming communities.
They expressed optimism that coordinated efforts will translate into tangible actions that advance rights, justice and equitable growth for women across Africa’s food systems.
John Kamau