Building Collaborative Women's Voice against Social Exclusion, Poverty, and Hunger!
Since 2019, ESAFF Uganda has been a driving force behind the Women in Agriculture (WiA) Conferences, creating a powerful platform that champions the voices and contributions of women in Uganda's agricultural sector. The conference has grown from strength to strength, becoming a pivotal event for small-scale women farmers across the country. By addressing pressing issues such as social exclusion, poverty, and hunger, the conference empowers women, encourages collaboration, and highlights the vital role they play in Uganda’s agriculture. Additionally, this year, the conference will deepen its commitment by integrating a climate justice perspective, highlighting how women farmers are disproportionately affected by climate change and advocating for equitable solutions that address these impacts.
With over 66% of Uganda's population employed in agriculture and women making up more than half of the agricultural labor force, the Women in Agriculture Conference plays a critical role in raising awareness about the unique challenges rural women face. These include limited access to resources, lower productivity compared to men, and significant social barriers. By providing a space for women to share experiences, learn from one another, and collectively advocate for change, the conference helps drive gender equality and improve agricultural outcomes for women.
Each year, the conference has focused on timely and relevant themes. In 2019, it began with "Making policies and programs work for rural women in agriculture." Since then, the themes have evolved to tackle various issues, from building resilience and empowering women to tracking their progress in farming as a business and positioning them for trade. The 2023 conference focused on “Equal access and control of agricultural resources for all.”
“I have taken part in most of the pervious WiA Conference and I can confirm that they have been impactful and energizing given that I get the time to interact with my fellow women in the struggle for gender equity.” – Irene Nakijoba, ESAFF Mukono
This year, the 6th Women in Agriculture (WiA) Conference, set for October 15th, 2024 in Mbale district, Eastern Uganda promises to be even more impactful. Under the theme “Cultivating Change: Building Collaborative Women's Voice against Social Exclusion, Poverty, and Hunger,” the event will underscore the importance of women’s collective voice in addressing the pressing challenges faced by rural women. This year's conference will focus on empowering women to become agents of change and fostering collaboration to amplify their voices and advocate for their rights.
The 15th of October is the International Day of Rural Women which recognizes the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women. Since most women small-scale farmers are based in rural areas, the WiA Conference has been organized on this day also with the aim of highlighting the role and situation of women in rural areas. For instance, this strategic alignment will additionally provide a platform to advocate for the global recognition of the unique challenges rural women face due to climate change and the essential role they play in crafting sustainable solutions within their communities.
“This year is unique, we are focusing on building more collaboration among women to amplify our voice against climate change, social exclusion, poverty, and hunger. We can’t wait to host wonderful women from different parts of the country and partners and friends supporting our women movement.” – Margaret Masudio, Chairperson, ESAFF Women Forum.
As part of the conference, the following key events will be organized;
Women’s Community Conference in 10 districts: These will be held a week before the main conference and will provide a platform to engage on the theme and gather insights, with one representative from each district selected to present their district report at the national event.
Women’s Camp Fire: Women from all walks of life will gather on the eve of the conference to share stories of their struggles and build solidarity. Some of the issues from the camp fire will be discussed during the main conference.
The main Women in Agriculture (WiA) Conference: The conference will feature expert panel discussions, guest speakers responding to community conference and camp fire recommendations, and the documentation of women’s success stories in agriculture—culminating in a celebration of International Rural Women’s Day.
Women’s Press Conference: Women leaders will speak to journalists and communicators on the proceedings and the outcomes of the conference.
The events of Conference will be attended by women leaders from different parts of the country, policy makers, media and other selected experts. In total, the conference (including all events) is expected to bring together 450 participants. This conference is organized by the ESAFF Women Forum with financial support from different partners.
Join us at the 6th National Women in Agriculture Conference 2024 as we celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of rural women, and continue building a future where women’s voices lead the way in transforming Uganda’s agricultural landscape.
To find out more about the WiA Conference or to support the participation of women in this conference, please write to the Conference Coordinator, Laurine Musoki at lmusoki@esaffuganda.org.
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