WHAT: COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF RURAL WOMEN

When:            15^th October 2021

Time:             12:00pm - 16:30pm EAT

Where:            Zoom virtual platform: Registration in advance is required for this

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2XUgeY4WTeGMdtXbwYLpmQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

WHO:  This event is organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (DARBE)

KEY NOTE SPEAKERS: The meeting will have various high-level speakers and panelist:

1. H.E  President Sahle-Work Zewde,  President of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia -  Key Note Address
2. H.E. Mrs. Neo Masisi, First Lady of the Republic of Botswana
3. H.E Mme Bineta Diop, Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security.
4. H.E Amb Albert M. Muchanga, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining (ETIM), AU Commission
5. H.E Amb. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture Rural Development Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy(DARBE), AU Commission

Background

The International Day of Rural Women was established by the United Nationals General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/62/136 of 18 December 2007 and observed on 15 day of October every year. This day, recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.” This year, the International Day of Rural Women will celebrate the vital role that rural women and girls play in building food system and participating in trade. The Department for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment Agriculture of the African Union is currently leading interventions under the theme “Strengthening the contribution of rural women to sustainable food systems and trade”.

The rural women constitute one-fourth of the world’s population and they play a critical role in the rural and national economies of most of the African countries. In most parts, they participate in crop production and livestock care, provide food, water and fuel for their families, and engage in off-farm activities to diversify their families’ livelihoods. In addition, they carry out most of the unpaid care work in rural areas including caring for children, older persons and the sick. They are also the predominant labour providers in agri-businesses and agro-industries. As such, it is critical that their contributions be recognized, and that they are included in decision-making processes at all levels of governments, and within rural organizations.  The economic ic empowerment of rural women is also key, If rural women had equal access to productive resources, agricultural yields would rise and this would substantially reduce hunger in the continent.

Purpose and Objectives

The Overall objective of the event is to create awareness of rural women’s struggles in participating food systems and trade in Africa and, their needs, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. Specifically, to;

• Raising awareness of rural women’s participation in food systems,  with a focus on their needs and rights, highlighting their contributions to national and household food and nutrition security;
• To bring together different stakeholders to discuss key considerations, challenges, gaps and opportunities with regard to promoting women’s ability to participate in agricultural take, especially in context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA);
• Share lessons and experiences for enhancing land rights that can contribute to promoting women’s contribution to building sustainable food systems;
• Increase awareness on the need to enhance agricultural mechanization for women’s as a means of retiring the hoe to Museum; and,
• Recommend practical and operable solutions to challenges facing rural women in food systems and agricultural trade

6. Expected Outcomes

The overriding outcome expected from this commemoration is to renew the call for enhancing gender equality and to strengthen women's contribution to agricultural advancement as well as food security, nutrition, and agricultural trade.

To enhance women participation in the AfCFTA as well as setting an innovative financing mechanism to effectively contribute to the AfCFTA as well as a call for action to setup the Pan African Women Empowerment Platform in Agribusiness as well as the need to develop a policy framework with specific  focus on women in Agriculture 

For more information on the event:

1. Dr. Janet Edeme, Head Rural Development Division, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission – Email: Edemej@africa-union.org
2. Dr. Simplice Nouala Fonkou, Head Agriculture and Food Security Division, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission – Email: NoualaS@africa-union.org
3. Mukulia Kennedy Ayason, Policy Officer, AU Commission – Email: ayasonm@africa-union.org

For Media inquiries:

• Ms. Peace Lydia Mutuwa, Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission; Email mutuwap@africa-unin.org
• Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communication Directorate; AU Commission Tel: 0911-630631; Email: molalett@africa-union.org ;

Follow the discussions:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IDRW2021, #IDRW2021

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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