On every International Women’s Day (IWD), IITA organizes special events across its hubs and stations to honor and appreciate the invaluable contributions of women in agriculture, research, and innovation. This year was no exception, as the celebration commenced with a purposeful walk and included inspiring testimonies from women staff and farmers, highlighting IITA’s investments in their careers and lives.
At the Institute’s headquarters, Head of People and Culture, Lilian Mendoza, celebrated women who have been driving progress in their unique ways and making history. She emphasized that women should be celebrated daily, not just on 8 March.
Representing IITA Director General Dr Simeon Ehui, Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery (DDG-P4D) Kenton Dashiell reiterated IITA’s unwavering commitment to empowering women and enhancing their presence in decision-making roles within the Institute. “I am proud that here at IITA, we are making good progress with women’s empowerment. I urge everyone to continue supporting and mentoring women colleagues to ensure that they have equal opportunities to succeed,” he said.
Agribusiness Hub Manager at IFAD-Agrihub, Waheed Oni, highlighted ways the IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) program has empowered women over the past decade. He highlighted the impact of the program, including training, access to credit, and markets, in improving the economic status of women.
A playlet by the Bioscience team and a panel session further underscored the importance of empowering women, with discussions centered around the day’s theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.”
Mendoza also outlined the vision of the IITA mentorship program for women, emphasizing its inclusivity and accessibility to all interested individuals. Additionally, video documentaries showcasing the experiences of IITA women staff and farmers testified to the Institute’s significant contributions to their careers and livelihoods.
In Malawi, staff organized a one-kilometer walk to symbolize unity and progress, with participants reflecting on the theme. Dr Grace Kaudzu, the Director of the Department of Agriculture Research Services, joined the walk and expressed her admiration for IITA’s initiative while showing interest in future participation.
IITA Head of Advocacy and Resource Mobilization Regina Kapinga represented Eastern African Hub Director Leena Tripathi at the hub event in Tanzania. She shared her career journey to inspire early- and mid-career women. ILRI Sustainable Livestock Systems Program Leader Dr Anthony Whitbread emphasized the importance of supporting women across various dimensions and creating inclusive workplaces. “It’s important to promote diversity, particularly in leadership roles, and create inclusive workplaces where everyone feels valued and supported,” he said. IITA Finance and Administration Head Jaqueline Musiimenta also pledged to establish a nursing room at the Dar es Salaam station to ensure a comfortable environment for women staff with nursing needs.
In Mozambique, representatives from various institutions discussed the importance of investing in women to change attitudes towards culture and customs. Presenters also highlighted challenges and successes in empowering women in agriculture. While emphasizing the importance of women in agriculture, Steve Boahen, the Country Representative, stated that women have the power to change the world. He encouraged them to have confidence in themselves and invest in leadership.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, IITA held a video conference on the theme, urging female staff to invest in themselves and bring about positive change. A charity visit to an orphanage was also organized to impact the local community. Female staff from the regional office coordinated the activities, while 30 children aged 5 to 15 benefitted from the food donations.
These celebrations reflected IITA’s commitment to empowering women in agriculture and fostering gender equality for a brighter future.
Contributed by Ochuwa Favour DaramolaContributed by
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