Lydia Muchodo, signing the launch of Women in Agriculture Campaign
Globally, women contribute a staggering 80% of the world’s food production, with 43% of agricultural labor in developing countries comprised of women, according to Oxfam International. Despite their significant contributions, women in agriculture often remain unsung heroines.
To address this, the Young Farmers Federation of Uganda ( UNYFA) launched the Women in Agriculture Campaign during the celebration of the International Women’s Day. The campaign aims to celebrate women’s achievements in agriculture and inspire young rural women to take up careers in the sector.
Richard Kityo, Principal Gender Officer at the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development, launched the campaign and emphasized the need to support women in agriculture, he highlighted that the government has many projects, policies and initiatives in support to the women like Building women small holder farmer adaptive capacities in Uganda, Generating growth opportunities and productivity for women Enterprises (GROW) and encouraged the women to tap into the projects and to use the policies very well, he also highlighted that the challenge is that most women pick the project funds and use it for other things which makes it difficult for them to fully benefit and enjoy the projects and policies available.
Richard Kityo, Principal Gender Officer at the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development
Lydia Muchodo, Regional Programme Manager at Trias East Africa, urged organizations to prioritize gender equality and consider the special needs of women in the workplace. She highlighted the importance of creating support systems that enable women to balance their work and family responsibilities. “Organizations must be attentive to the needs of women and ensure that they have equal opportunities to succeed,” Muchodo emphasized. “This includes providing spaces for breastfeeding and childcare, as well as creating a culture that supports and values the contributions of women.”
Muchodo warned that neglecting the needs of women can have serious consequences, not only for the individuals but also for the organization as a whole. “When women are not supported, their productivity and job satisfaction suffer, which can ultimately affect the organization’s performance,” she noted.
Denis Kabiito, the Chief Executive Officer of the Young Farmers Federation of Uganda, urged the government to provide support to women and youth in agriculture, enabling them to fit into the industry, he highlights that the campaign targets young rural women aged 18-35, extension officers, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Denis Kabiito, the Chief Executive Officer UNYFA speaking during the launch
Oscar Kakande, Communications Officer at (UNYFA) said the women in Agriculture campaign will celebrate role model women in agribusiness, farming, and value addition, he adds on that successful stories will be shared through social media and mainstream highlighting the achievements of women in agriculture. By amplifying the voices and stories of women in agriculture, (UNYFA) aims to accelerate action towards women’s empowerment, challenge the notion that agriculture is a “poor man’s job” or “dirty work,” and promote a more inclusive and equitable agricultural sector. This initiative is crucial, considering that women make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce in Uganda, contributing substantially to the country’s food production and economy.
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