Group Advocates Gender Equality In Agric

National Gender Steering Committee on the implementation of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture in collaboration with the Association of Women In Trade and Agriculture (AWITA) and Partnership for Advancing Women in Economic Development (PAWED) has called for a bridge in gender disparity for enhanced food security in the country.

The group made the call during a courtesy visit to the head of the civil service of the federation, in Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, the head, gender and secretary, National Gender Steering Committee, Mrs Ifeoma Anyanwu, noted that there is huge gender disparity in agriculture in the country, especially with regards to access to inputs.

The federal government on October 31, 2019, launched the National Gender Policy on Agriculture, aimed at providing a policy direction for the different roles of women and men in agriculture for development and gender equality in access to resources.

Ayamu said the policy, with its 11 objectives, serves as a tool for achieving gender-based reforms, increasing productivity by men and women along all the value chains in the sector.

The president of AWITA, Ruth Agbo, who doubled as the representative of PAWED, called for continuous partnership and collaboration with the OHCSF in driving the implementation of the gender policy in agriculture. She said it will help to diversify and build the economy and as well empower women while assuring the committee of all necessary support.

On her part, the director, employee and industrial relations department, OHCSF, Omoabie Udeme Akpan, while commending the policy and the implementation groups, assured that the OHCSF will support the drive towards the implementation of the gender policy in agriculture.