Gender gaps in agricultural issues hindering women empowerment

Ms. Abdulai, said the Gender Analysis of Agriculture and Lands Sectors Project initiated and sponsored by NETRIGHT and AWDF is a major step towards the achievement of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in these sectors as espoused in the National and International Laws. 

A member of the NETRIGHT and Co-founder of “Cowtribe Technology”, an NGO Alima Bawah stated that majority of women in the rural settings are into livestock production such as ruminants and poultry.  

She indicated that the lack of veterinary officers  in the rural areas to provide  technical know- how to the rural women farmers on how to effectively rear livestock coupled with the challenge of vaccinating these livestock were some of the major threat to livelihoods of rural women farmers. 

The Director of Savannah Integrated Development Aid SIDA Hajia Alima Sagito, who delivered a presentation on the topic “Promoting Gender Equity in the Agricultural Sector –Policy Issues”, stated that, in spite of the fact that Women contribute about 70 per cent to food production in the country and formed 52 per cent of the agricultural workforce, they were marginalised when it comes to agriculture policies and interventions.  

She attributed the problem to gender inequalities in the agriculture sector, limited access to agricultural information and technologies with regards to women and fewer opportunities for training and exposure to extension services. 

Hajia Sagito indicated that the marginalization on the role of women in agriculture in Ghana has been the bane in the industry and unless the government takes a bold decision and the political will to prioritize gender issues, by ensuring that gender equality is practised at all levels of the agricultural and lands sectors.


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