In a significant step towards strengthening gender equality in agriculture, Oxfam International and its partners have launched a Gender Analysis Report for the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). The report, developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, aims to address the persistent gender disparities that hinder women’s participation and benefits in the agricultural sector.
The launch, held on Wednesday in Nairobi, brought together representatives from the government, non-governmental organizations, and international partners to discuss the challenges faced by women in agriculture and the strategies needed to overcome them.
Jackline Makokha, Director of the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate at Kenya’s State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, emphasized the critical role women play in agriculture. “Agriculture contributes significantly to Kenya’s GDP, and women form a substantial part of the labor force. Yet, they continue to face systemic, cultural, and economic barriers that limit their access to resources and decision-making,” she said.
According to Makokha, despite existing policies promoting gender equality, women often lack ownership of agricultural land and access to financial resources. These challenges are compounded by cultural norms that prioritize men in decision-making processes and economic opportunities. Makokha highlighted the need for effective implementation of affirmative action policies that support women’s engagement in agricultural enterprises and government procurement opportunities.
The CAADP program, launched in January 2025, marks a new 10-year development strategy from 2026 to 2035, aiming to enhance food security and sustainable agriculture in Africa. Speaking at the event, Wanjiku Wanjohi, Senior Gender Advisor at Oxfam, underscored the need for a gender-responsive framework aligned with continental commitments, such as the Maputo Protocol and the African Union Gender and Women’s Strategy.
“We have noted a misalignment between pan-African gender perspectives and the CAADP framework. Our goal is to ensure evolving issues affecting African women in agriculture are addressed, including the impacts of the climate crisis and limited access to productive assets,” Wanjohi stated.
She stressed that while progress has been made in recognizing gender issues at the policy level, there is a need to move beyond rhetoric. “African governments must budget for gender and establish dedicated funding to support activities that empower women in agriculture,” she added.
The Gender Analysis Report also highlights the devastating impact of climate change on African women farmers. As central figures in agricultural value chains, women not only produce food but also play roles as retailers, distributors, and consumers. However, climate-related challenges have compromised food quality and increased vulnerabilities, particularly when women lack access to land and water resources.
The development of the report represents a collective effort involving grassroots women’s rights organizations, international development partners, and various regional networks. “It’s not just a single voice from one region; it’s a comprehensive agenda that takes into account perspectives from across Africa,” Wanjohi remarked.
Other stakeholders represented during the launch included, the African Kilimanjaro Women Farmers Forum, the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network, ActionAid International, the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), and the SDG2 Advocacy Hub.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the agriculture sector is a major employer of women globally–with women constituting over 50% of the agricultural labor force in many countries–making them critical to the production of both food and cash crops, and to the health of rural economies overall.