From left Elizabeth Yegon Head of Gender Unit State Department for Agriculture, (Center) Eng. Laban Kiplagat Agriculture Engineering Sec Ministry of Agriculture and Right Theresa Herbold from GIZ
A high-level conference aimed at amplifying women’s voices in agriculture and food systems has kicked off in Nairobi, bringing together key stakeholders from across Africa and beyond. Co-hosted by Kenya’s State Department for Agriculture, the German development agency GIZ and other partners, the event is a rallying call to strengthen the role of women in shaping sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems.
The conference set to strengthen women’s voices for sustainable agriculture and food Systems, convenes approximately 80 participants including policymakers, researchers, farmers, and activists.
Discussions will focus on tackling gender disparities in agriculture and promoting women’s leadership in decision-making spaces.
In a speech delivered on behalf of Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Rono, Engineer Laban Kiplagat, Agriculture Engineering Secretary underscored the crucial role of women in agriculture stating that they produce much of the world’s food, sustain rural economies, and preserve traditional knowledge.
“Yet, despite their contributions they continue to face barriers in access to land, resources, markets, and decision-making spaces. This must change,” said Kiplagat.
He highlighted key objectives of the conference, including amplifying women’s voices in policy formulation, sharing best practices, fostering collaboration, and advocating for systemic change.
“This is not just a conference—it is a call to action. Let us move beyond dialogue and commit to real action, policies that support women farmers, investments in their enterprises and platforms that amplify their expertise and leadership,” he emphasized.
Representing the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Senior Policy Officer Theresa Herbold reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Kenya and other African nations in gender-responsive agricultural transformation.
“We know the crucial role women play in agriculture, and this conference brings together practitioners, policymakers, and activists from 20 countries to collaboratively build resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food systems,” Herbold said.
Elizabeth Yegon, Head of the Gender Unit at Kenya’s State Department for Agriculture, stressed the government’s dedication to addressing the unique challenges faced by women in agriculture.
“We are here to amplify the voices of women, recognizing that over 80 percent of them are involved in agriculture—whether as laborers, food producers, or value chain participants. As a government, we are committed to supporting women and ensuring their needs are addressed,” Yegon stated.
She highlighted ongoing collaborations with GIZ and other partners in advancing gender-inclusive policies and investments.
The conference is expected to produce detailed documentation of discussions and strategic pathways for gender-equitable agricultural transformation. Stakeholders will outline policy recommendations and initiatives to bridge gender gaps in food systems, ensuring that women’s leadership is both recognized and supported.
Kiplagat urged all participants to work collectively in removing barriers, investing in women-led solutions and creating inclusive platforms where women can take the lead.
“The future of our agrifood systems depends on this. Together we can build a world where women’s voices shape the future of food, agriculture, and sustainability for generations to come,” he said.
As discussions unfold over the coming days, participants are hopeful that the conference will not only spark meaningful dialogue but also lead to concrete actions that will drive lasting impact in Africa’s agriculture and food systems.