Every year on March 8th, the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD), a time to reflect on progress made, raise awareness of ongoing challenges, and take action toward gender equality.
At Slow Food Kenya, we proudly join this global movement, recognizing and celebrating the vital role that women and girls play in shaping our food systems. This year, under the theme “Accelerating Action for Women in Promoting Good, Clean, and Fair Food for All”, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that women in agroecology, food production, and food sovereignty have access to the resources, opportunities, and recognition they deserve.
Across Kenya and beyond, women are the backbone of agriculture, responsible for over 60% of food production. From farming and food preservation to leadership in sustainability movements, women are at the forefront of creating a good, clean, and fair food system. Yet, many still face barriers such as:
- Limited access to land and financial resources
- Underrepresentation in decision-making spaces
- The impacts of climate change, which disproportionately affect women farmers
At Slow Food Kenya, we are working to break these barriers by;
- Providing training & capacity Building where we support women with skills in agroecology, value addition and entrepreneurship. Through workshops and mentorship programs, women gain knowledge in organic farming, food processing, and value addition.
- Advocating for Gender Equality in Agriculture. We work to break down barriers that limit women’s participation in decision-making within food systems. By giving women a voice, we create a more just and equitable food movement.
- Promoting Women-Led Food Enterprises. Many of our food initiatives, such as indigenous food markets and community gardens, are run by women. By creating opportunities for female entrepreneurs, we help them build financial independence while preserving local food traditions.
This International Women’s Day, let’s stand together in support of all women and girls, ensuring they have:
- Equal access to land, markets, and resources
- A seat at the table in decision-making spaces
- Recognition for their contributions to food sustainability
- A future where their rights, dignity, and empowerment are upheld
Together, we can create a more inclusive, just, and sustainable food system!
