JIF 2024: The rights of women farmers in Benin are strengthened for equitable nutrition
-
by
heljohns
- No Comments on JIF 2024: The rights of women farmers in Benin are strengthened for equitable nutrition
The International Day of Women Farmers (JIF) 2024, was a major event organized in Abomey on Tuesday March 12, 2024. Under the aegis of the Fédération Nationale des Femmes Agricultrices du Bénin (FéNaFAB) and with the support of the CASCADE project, the day’s activities were a catalyst for action to promote the rights and interests of women in Benin’s agricultural sector. More than just a celebration, it’s a platform for in-depth reflection and commitment to improving the living and working conditions of women farmers, particularly in terms of nutrition and access to resources.
Right from the start of the event, the festive atmosphere created by the drums and dances of the women farmers set the tone for a day charged with meaning. Joining the ranks of FaFa WA groups, these women expressed their rights and demands. The presence of local and national authorities added to the solemnity of the event, underlining the importance attached to the cause of women farmers.
In an inspiring speech, the Mayor of Abomey, Antoine DJEDO, highlighted the vital role played by women farmers in the country’s food and nutritional security. His unequivocal commitment to supporting their initiatives was a strong message, supporting the indispensability of their contribution. “You are the most numerous people in Benin, and we can’t have food and nutritional security without you. Without you, the household suffers, and if the household suffers, the whole country suffers. That’s why, as far as I’m concerned, we’ll spare no effort in supporting all your initiatives,” asserted Mayor DJEDO.
The deputies at the National Assembly also expressed their determination to support women farmers by working on the implementation of the Agricultural Orientation Law for Food and Nutritional Security (LOASAN). Léopold LOKOSSOU, one of the deputies, pledged to speed up the drafting of implementing decrees to achieve the objectives of this law. “The LOASAN Act is a law which is now guiding our agriculture, but which lacks implementing decrees. I’m going to work to ensure that proposals for decrees come out quickly, so that this law can be implemented. This will make it easier to find solutions to the problems facing women farmers,” declared MP LOKOSSOU.
Finally, concrete commitments were made by the authorities present, notably the Managing Director of the Fonds National de Développement Agricole (FNDA) and the representative of the Ministry of Agriculture. Their willingness to work closely with women farmers to facilitate access to financing and build their capacities has laid the foundations for concerted action to improve the living and working conditions of women farmers in Benin. However, these commitments require effective implementation and constant vigilance to overcome persistent challenges. Let’s get involved together!