Women farmers have long been unsung heroes, driving innovation and sustainability in the agriculture sector in Africa 80 per cent of Africa’s food is produced by small-scale farmers and women account for 43 per cent of this workforce, according to a World Bank report.
Despite their remarkable achievements, however, their contributions often remain overshadowed by a lack of visibility and recognition. To reduce the disparity in media coverage faced by African women agriculturists, highlighting the urgent need for increased representation and acknowledgment of their pivotal role in shaping agricultural discourse and practices, the African Food Changemakers (AFC) has unveiled the cohort of its African Women in Food Fellowship (The Leading African Women in Food Fellowship, LAWFF, Programme 2024).
The fellowship, comprising 31 fellows across various categories, aims to address the disparity in female representation in agricultural dialogues and provide support to overcome career challenges. Founded by a Nigerian entrepreneur, an expert on African agriculture and nutrition, philanthropy, and social innovation, Ndidi Nwuneli, in 2023, the initiative seeks to amplify the voices of African women changemakers, between ages of 25 to 50, in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, with funding from the SKOLL Foundation. Despite these efforts, recent research by leading organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the African Women in Agribusiness Network reveals that only 13 per cent of agricultural news stories feature women as primary sources, dropping to a mere seven per cent in the Sub-Saharan Africa.
This disparity underscores the urgent need for increased visibility and recognition of women agriculturists. The inaugural LAWFF in 2023 empowered over 25 women fellows through intensive training, mentorship, and media advocacy, enabling them to actively participate in industry events and enrich discussions with invaluable insights. However, the representation of women in agricultural news remains disproportionately low. The selection process for the fellowship involved nomination and comprehensive review by an independent selection committee, highlighting the exceptional contributions of these women in the agri-food sector. Despite the challenges, the Leading African Women in Food Fellowship represents a significant stride towards supporting African agri-food entrepreneurs, especially women with at least three years experience working in the agri-food sector and demonstrating impact.
The Leading African Women in Food Fellowship (LAWFF) Programme is a transformative initiative designed to empower and celebrate women leaders in the African food and agriculture sector. Over a six-month period, the programme provides training, mentorship, and a supportive community for outstanding female disruptors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, chefs, trendsetters, and storytellers. LAWFF actively promotes gender equality, contributes to poverty reduction, and fosters sustainable economic growth, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
