The CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion Accelerator and African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) convened an event with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and CIFOR-ICRAF to mark International Women’s Day 2025. The event was held on March 7, 2025, from 9.30 to 11.00 am and Live Streamed. 

The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is ‘For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.’ This year’s theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all and a future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation—youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls—as catalysts for lasting change.

Women play pivotal roles in food systems as producers, workers, processors, distributors, traders, and consumers. They sustain household nutritional security. Yet, women in agricultural production often face difficult conditions due to prevailing gender inequalities and discriminatory norms.

On the occasion of IWD 2025, CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion Accelerator and African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) convened an event together with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and CIFOR-ICRAF to mark this important day. In line with the theme, the event illuminated how we can pay conscious attention to ALL women and girls, considering women’s diverse contributions to agrifood systems and how they are positioned within the systems and present strategies to close the gender divide not just between women and men, but also between women in different contexts.

The event .

Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Dr. Éliane Ubalijoro-CIFOR-ICRAF

Dr. Susan Kaaria, Director, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development

Dr. Nicoline de Haan, Director, CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion Accelerator

Dr. Galie Alessandra, Team Lead, Gender, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Ms. Everlyne Nairesiae, Africa Region Director, Landesa

Prof Salome Bukachi, Associate Professor, University of Nairobi

Ms. Elizabeth Yegon, Head, Gender Unit, Kenya Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock

Dr. Eileen Nchanji, Gender Specialist, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

Ms. Dorine Odongo, Senior Communications Manager, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development

Watch the recording here.

Check out the photo highlights from the event here.