Women groups tasks government to implement policies to boost rural farming

As part of activities marking this year’s International Rural Women’s Day, a coalition of women civil society organisations (CSOs) have tasked the Federal Government to help rural women farmers by implementing climate resilient agriculture policies that would boost rural women small holders farming.

The organisations include, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Women Rights to Education (WREP), Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON), Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) and Gender Equality Peace and Development Centre (GEPaDC) said in Abuja, yesterday that such policies if implemented would address hunger and poverty in the country.

The project is being implemented by Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement (SACE) project with support from USAID.

Founding Director of WARDC, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi said this year’s theme: “Challenges and opportunities in climate-resilient agriculture for gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls” shows that the world is concerned and that Nigeria should not miss the opportunity.

She said: “Rural women account for a substantial proportion of the agricultural labour force.

In spite of their roles, they lack access to agricultural inputs and finance, they have less than 14 percent land holding rights, while culture, traditions and discriminatory laws continue to deny them equal access to government programmes at national and state levels.”

Ms Mimido Akchapa of the WREP said that over 70 percent of lands in Africa is held under traditional titles and customs controlled by men leading to untold hardship for the women due to the discrimination against them.

Also, Prof Patricia Donli of the GEPaDC said the support for commercial farmers by subsequent government at national and state levels apart from the politicization of development programmes have worsen the plight or rural women.