By Dennis Muritu
Eng. Laban Kiplagat, Agriculture Engineering Secretary- State Department of Agriculture has opened the landmark conference “Together: Strengthening Women’s Voices for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems” at the Movenpick Hotel in Nairobi on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Agriculture Kiprono Ronoh Paul.
The event, a critical gathering of policymakers, researchers, farmers, and activists, aims to amplify the voices of women in shaping the future of global food systems.
Addressing a diverse audience, including representatives from the German Embassy, BMZ, and GIZ, Dr. Ronoh Paul emphasized the vital role women play in agriculture, despite facing persistent barriers.
“Women are the backbone of our agricultural systems, producing much of the world’s food and preserving invaluable traditional knowledge,” he stated. “Yet, they continue to encounter obstacles in accessing land, resources, markets, and decision-making platforms. This disparity must end.”
The conference, focusing primarily on the African continent, seeks to address the challenges women and marginalized groups face in participating in policy and decision-making processes.
Dr. Ronoh Paul highlighted that strengthening women’s voices is not only a matter of gender equity but a fundamental necessity for achieving food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
“This conference is a call to action,” Dr. Ronoh Paul declared. “Over the next three days, we will focus on amplifying women’s voices, sharing best practices, fostering collaboration, and advocating for systemic change.”
He expressed confidence that the event would produce detailed documentation outlining strategic pathways for gender-equitable transformation in agriculture.
The Principal Secretary also acknowledged the contributions of GIZ and the AMKA African Justice Initiative, co-hosts of the conference, for their dedication to supporting this crucial dialogue.
He urged all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, researchers, and communities, to commit to real action, policies that support women farmers, investments in their enterprises, and platforms that amplify their expertise and leadership.
“The future of our agrifood systems depends on the full participation of women,” Dr. Ronoh Paul concluded. “Let us move beyond dialogue and commit to building a world where women’s voices shape the future of food, agriculture, and sustainability for generations to come.”
The three-day conference will feature panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, all aimed at fostering collaboration and driving collective action towards gender-inclusive food systems.
