About the 8th Africa Agribusiness and Science Week (AASW)

The Africa Agribusiness and Science Week (AASW) is organized by the Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa (FARA) as a major continental platform for all stakeholders involved in agriculture and agribusiness research and innovation in Africa. The 8th AASW will be held in  Durban, South Africa, from June 5th to 8th, 2023. AASW will convene over 1,500 stakeholders to take stock of progress on research and innovation, share information, network, create business alliances, and map out priorities for joint action. AASW will focus on strengthening linkages between agribusiness and science plus innovation to improve the continent’s productivity and competitiveness in agro-industry. FARA is co-organizing the event with the CAADP partners, i.e., CCARDESA, ASARECA, CORAF, AFAAS, the Government of the Republic of South Africa and in collaboration with numerous other partners, including AUC, AUDA, GFAR, YPARD, PAFO, One CGIAR, FAO, AFDB, UNIDO, AGRA, AWARD, RUFORUM, amongst others.

Overview and Objective of the parallel session

Session Title: “Making African Food Systems Gender-Responsive for Equitable Livelihoods”

The recently released United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s report on the Status of Women in Agrifood Systems presents new evidence which underscores the central role of gender equality and women’s empowerment in achieving sustainable agrifood systems. The report highlights not only why closing the gender gap is an urgent imperative but also how strategies such as the adoption of gender-transformative approaches can move the needle.

This session will illuminate what needs to be done to accelerate progress toward equitable and healthy food systems and highlight why gender-responsive agriculture is a fundamental prerequisite. Discussions will provide insights into the role of gender-responsive policies in fostering equitable agrifood systems able to provide healthy, nutritious solutions for women, children, and men.

Speakers will share some of the ways we can achieve equitable food systems that address positive nutritional outcomes and highlight some of the commitments that are required to make this a reality.

Key Questions

1. What are some of the persisting obstacles to achieving equitable food systems?
2. What existing strategies can we emulate to ensure our food systems respond to the nutritional needs and unique contexts?
3. What are some of the critical changes we must make to face the future of our food systems more efficiently?
4. How can policies make a substantial difference?
5. How must the systems and structures (governance, financial, administrative) of agricultural research and development change to unlock the potential of gender-responsiveness?

Speakers

Partners