With the persisting food crisis in Nigeria and lingering effects on households, the Centre for Gender Economics in Africa (CGE Africa), has called on governments at all levels to prioritise inclusion of women in planning and decision-making processes regarding food security.
The centre observed that current realities show that women, as managers of households, mostly bear the brunt of food insecurity in the country.
Speak at a media engagement on strengthening women’s voices for food security in Nigeria, Executive Director, CGE Africa, Dr. Uchenna Idoko, highlighted the pivotal role women play in agriculture and food production.
Idoko expressed concerns about the challenges women face, which limit their contribution to agriculture and food production in the country.
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Speaking on the theme “The impact of food insecurity on women in Nigeria; A gendered lens on the food crisis,” Idoko stated that women are central to food systems, as farmers, caregivers and entrepreneurs, but are disproportionately affected.
She noted that with the high food inflation in the country, it has become increasingly difficult for many women, especially in low-income households, to provide diverse nutritious meals and most times, skip meals to ensure their children eat.
”Increasing costs strain women’s ability to provide diverse and nutritious meals.
Women traders face reduced profits due to fluctuating prices,” Idoko added.
She also highlighted the impact of climate change on agriculture which causes unpredictable rainfall and floods that destroy crops and farmland, leaving women farmers unprepared as they often lack access to climate information and early warning systems.
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”Climate change is further exacerbating the situation. Unpredictable rainfall and floods are destroying crops and farmland, leaving women farmers with limited options. Without access to climate information and early warning systems, they are unable to prepare for the disasters that are becoming increasingly frequent,” she stated.
”Recovery is harder for women due to limited savings and access to credit.
Post-harvest losses increase as storage facilities are inadequate.”
According to her, women face systemic barriers such as access to land, finance, and even opportunities for decision-making. She stated though women are in various value chains in the agric sector, they are hardly found at the level of decision-making.
The CGE Africa ED stated that lack of secure land rights and limited access to farm inputs, training, and financing are additional barriers that women face in agriculture and food production.
According to her, women own less than 20 per cent of agricultural land as access to land is often through male relatives, making them “vulnerable to displacement.”
”Women have limited access to farm inputs (seeds, fertilizers), training, and financing.
”Extension services often overlook women farmers.”
She lamented that women are also suffering from conflict and insecurity, noting that there is always a risk of gender-based violence and that their livelihoods are being disrupted by displacement and disruption of food systems.
”Armed conflict and communal violence displace women and disrupt food systems. Displaced women and girls face hunger, GBV, and loss of livelihood,” she stated.
The CGE Africa executive director noted that despite these challenges, Nigerian women have remained resilient and determined in their various roles as farmers, caregivers and entrepreneurs in sustaining their communities, even as their contributions are often overlooked and their voices not heard in policy-making circles.
Idoko called on policymakers and the media to change narrative by amplifying their voices and making policies that protect women’s rights and properties.
”The media plays a critical role in highlighting the plight of women in Nigeria and pushing for policy change. By amplifying their stories, exposing policy gaps, and mobilizing public support, the media can be a powerful advocate for women’s rights,” she stated.
The centre recommended that authorities should make policies that “target women farmers in climate adaptation programs, expand access to affordable food and farming inputs, include women in food security planning, and improve nutrition-sensitive social protection.
”We must act now to ensure that women in Nigeria have the support they need to feed their families, secure their livelihoods, and build a better future.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in mass communication.
