The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a decisive step toward enhancing gender equity in agriculture by concluding a two-day Gender Equity Consultative Meeting on Rice Sector Development. The event, held in Abuja, Nigeria, from March 18 to 19, 2025, brought together key stakeholders from across the region to address the challenges and opportunities facing women in the rice sector.
A major milestone of the meeting was the validation of the comprehensive Gender Equity Study report, which provides critical insights into the barriers women face in the rice value chain. Additionally, participants developed an Action Plan with a Gender Strategy framework aimed at creating a more inclusive and sustainable sector.
One of the most significant outcomes was the strong call for the establishment of an ECOWAS Women in Rice Platform, a proposed initiative designed to ensure women’s effective participation across all aspects of rice production, processing, and distribution.
With women playing a crucial role in feeding West Africa, will this initiative translate into real empowerment, or will it face the same structural barriers that have long hindered
