Pacific Women in Agriculture acknowledged for their contribution
Port Villa, Vanuatu- Women farmer leaders and other partners were part of an inaugural meeting of the Pacific Women in Agriculture Forum yesterday – focused around the theme “Inspire, Innovate, Impower”. The forum heard that while women and girls are most vulnerable during natural disasters, their voices are seldom heard at community, national, regional and global levels.
The workshop provided an opportunity for participants to share success stories and the challenges they encounter in their respective countries Ron Hartman, IFAD Country Director for Indonesia and the Pacific in his official opening remarks stressed the importance of empowering women as they tend to invest back into their families, communities and economy. “All women need to be empowered, to have more influence in decision making and to address gender inequalities in the agriculture context. Women in agriculture also need our support and to have access to models that work and can be replicated.”
Janet Uitaraha representing the Wara Organisation from the Solomon Islands stated that there should be more workshops organised for women involved in agriculture. Climate change and access to finance are the two main challenges faced by her community. “I am happy to be part of this workshop, as it is the first that has been organised, and I hope there will be more in the future so we can further discuss best practises and how to adapt to climate change”, she added.
The workshop included presentations from women agricultural entrepreneurs, farmer organisation leaders and key partners. The workshop was organised to coincide with the Pacific Week of Agriculture currently underway in Vanuatu this week.
The event has been organised by the Pacific Islands Farmers Organisation Network (PIFON) in partnership with Pacific Islands Association of Non Governmental Organisation (PIANGO).
Ends
For more information or queries regarding the workshops please contact Ms Emele Duituturaga on -Email emele@piango.net / M:9991864 or Kyle Stice Email – manager@pacificfarmers.com