The Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has called on the government and stakeholders to work together to find a lasting solution to the issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) affecting women farmers across the country.
This appeal was made at a stakeholders’ consultative forum held in Abuja on Monday.
Mrs. Comfort Sunday, the FCT Coordinator of SWOFON, stated that the organization aimed to address the intersection of hunger and GBV among smallholder women farmers, who are integral to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
She emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to combat GBV, including the enforcement of laws and policies that protect women’s rights, as well as promoting awareness and dialogue within communities.
Sunday also highlighted the critical role smallholder women farmers play in Nigeria’s agricultural economy, food security, and rural development.
“However, these women face systemic challenges, including GBV, which poses a pervasive and often overlooked obstacle to their productivity and well-being,” she said.
The impact of GBV on women farmers includes physical and psychological harm, economic disempowerment, and disruptions to their farming activities, which ultimately undermine their contributions to the agricultural sector.
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Sunday stressed that addressing GBV is vital for achieving food security, economic growth, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
She stated, “By empowering smallholder women farmers and protecting them from GBV, SWOFON aims to unlock their full potential and build stronger, more resilient communities.”
The organization has called on all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, the private sector, and individuals, to unite in the fight against GBV, in order to create an environment where women farmers can thrive and contribute fully to the nation’s development.