EGISA for increased women’s participation in agriculture

By Luke Kantayeni – Mana

Gender based violence is said to be one of the factors limiting women’s contribution to the growth of the country’s agricultural sector. 

Every Girl In School Alliance (EGISA) Project Coordinator, Quipo Theu said on Tuesday in Ntchisi district that most women in the country are subjected to gender based violence resulting in poor participation of women in agricultural activities.

She was speaking during the introduction of She Talks Project under Women at work Campaign to the District Agricultural Extension Coordinating Committee (DAECC).

“Despite that 70 percent of the farmers are women, they are mostly not involved in decision making activities and not allowed to have any say on the money the household acquires although they help their husbands in sourcing the funds.

“This is why we decided to work with all stakeholders involved in agriculture to advocate for change so that women should be decision makers too and also to improve their working conditions especially in tobacco estates,” said Theu.

Agricultural Extension Development Coordinator for Kasakula Extension Planning Area (EPA), Luke Nyirongo said the coming in of the project to the district is a welcome development as it will enable women to participate in agricultural activities with the hope that they will fully enjoy the fruits of their hard work.

The project which is funded by HIVOS is targeting 500 women from Ntchisi, Dowa and Kasungu districts and is working in partnership with Women Lawyers Association, Trade Unions, Farmers Associations and Congress of Trade Unions.

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