Annually on March 8th, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD).
It is a day dedicated to recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. IWD serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality and a catalyst for inspiring change.
SOLACEBASE reports this year’s theme, #InspireInclusion, resonates deeply with the Sasakawa Africa Association’s (SAA) Vision and mission to support Africa in fulfilling its aspirations of building resilient and sustainable food systems by catalyzing knowledge sharing and enabling food, nutrition, and income security in their communities.
This was contained in a statement issued by Moses Nongoatse, Communication Officer, Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria.
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‘’We recognize the immense contributions women are making in agriculture, a sector where their dedication and innovation are often overlooked. From managing small farms to leading agricultural businesses, women are a cornerstone of food security and rural development,’’ the statement said.
‘’SAA’s core agricultural extension approaches – Regenerative Agriculture (RA), Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA), and Market-Oriented Agriculture (MOA) – are designed with inclusivity at their heart. We actively dismantle barriers that hinder women’s access to resources, training, and leadership opportunities.’’
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‘’SAA’s gender mainstreaming training goes beyond agricultural techniques. It equips women with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive, fostering confidence in business development, marketing, and entrepreneurship. We champion inclusivity within our organization by ensuring women have equal opportunities for leadership roles and promoting a culture that celebrates diversity.’’
Speaking in Abuja on this year’s event, SAA Country Director, Dr Godwin Atser, passionately states: “Imagine the possibilities when women’s brilliance, dedication, and innovation are fully unleashed in agriculture. This International Women’s Day, let’s not just acknowledge the challenges; let’s inspire action towards a future where women are not only included but celebrated as leaders in shaping a more sustainable and prosperous food system.”
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‘’Dr Atser said, as we continue to build a truly inclusive agricultural sector, we unlock a multitude of benefits. This includes unprecedented advancements in agricultural productivity and economic empowerment for women, enhanced food security and improved nutrition for families and communities, and the creation of a more resilient and innovative agricultural landscape.
‘’SAA therefore sustains its clarion call to action to all stakeholders – governments, development partners, agricultural organizations, and individual farmers. Join us in creating a space where women can flourish, their voices heard, and their contributions celebrated. Together, let’s cultivate a future where agriculture thrives on the strength of its diversity.’’