Conference for Women in Agribusiness
Conference for Women in Agribusiness
Date: 3-5 November, 2015
Venue: Durban, South Africa
Background
Recognizing the gender dimension of climate change impacts on African agriculture and taking into account the significant role and contribution of women smallholder farmers in agriculture and food security and within the content of sporting women empowerment, the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) designed a five-year programme, Gender Climate Change and Agriculture Support Programme (GCCASP).
As part of the process towards enhancing women participation in agriculture/agribusiness and promoting women rights and empowerment, NPCA organized the Inaugural Session of the Conference for Women in Agriculture in October 2014 with financial support from NORAD. The theme of the Conference was “Investing in African Women: Opening Space for Agribusiness.” The “Call to Action” was the main outcome of the Conference which was submitted and endorsed by the NEPAD Heads of States and Government Orientation Committee. Among, others, the Conference called for:
- Increasing support for women farmers particularly in agribusiness activities
- Strengthening inclusive growth, employment generation and sustainable livelihoods for African women producers and agribusiness entrepreneurs
- Facilitating and supporting skill building for women through access to vocational training
- Making the Women in Agribusiness Conference an annual event
This consensus was also informed by the Malabo Declaration and Commitmentto Halving Poverty, by the year 2025, through Inclusive Agricultural Growth and Transformation.The decision was also specific on supporting and facilitating preferential entry and participation for women and youth in gainful and attractive agri-business opportunities.
The 2015 Conference for Women in Agribusiness
Building on the outcomes of the 2014 conference, and the just adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with particular reference to goals, 2, 4 and 5, the 2nd Conference for Women in Agriculture is scheduled to take place from 03 to 05 November 2015, in Durban, South Africa. The theme of this year’s edition is “Women in Entrepreneurial Development: A Must for Success of the SDGs in Africa.” The sub-themes will focus on:
- Policy
- Organisational Development
- Training and Knowledge Support to enhance the achievement of Entrepreneurship Development for African Women
Objectives
The specific objectives of the conference include:
i. Provide a platform for dialogue between relevant stakeholders in the field of the economic participation of women.
ii. Share experiences and best practices on gender-sensitive financial and business services and identify new and innovative opportunities to improve women’s entrepreneurial skills and development
iii. Support the strengthening of networking and advocacy for women’s entrepreneurship to encourage a progressive integration of rural women’s businesses into the formal economy
iv. Strategies and support necessary for women entrepreneurs in creating partnerships, networking and building strategic alliances
Organisation of the Conference
The Conference will commence with a high level opening session where high level delegates will make speeches. Thereafter, participants will be provided with an opportunity to dialogue, consult, share experiences in plenary sessions through panel discussions. Capacity building trainings will be conducted in breakaway sessions to train women in agribusiness processes. Another interesting part of the conference is the exhibitions where women will showcase their value-add products. Participants will have the opportunity to see and buy the products of their interest.
Who are the participants of the Conference?
Stakeholders of the Women Conference in Agribusiness include: women farmers and women in Agribusiness, government Ministries, RECS, private sector, civil society, researchers/ academia and development partners from various parts of Africa,
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