International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) held a forum to incorporate women, youth and the larger society in development initiave for women and youth.
Farmers and the ecosystem at large is targeted in this initiative as well as gender equality and equity to improve on living conditions and quality of life.
Various Partners in Kenya, the Public Health Sector, the Agricultural sector, World Health Organization and also World Fish joined hands in this noble move.
One health deals with challenges affecting crops, animals and the environment at large.
Gender disparities in the society limits growth and development as women and youth are secluded. ICIPE, as a research institute, looks to close down the gap and onboard all stakeholders for development.
Agrifood is a major source of livelihood in Sub Saharan Africa and Asia and economic development is vital
Rahma Adam, PHD, Senior World Fish scientist, noted:
“Women from 100 years ago were not allowed to vote. That laws still support child marriages in 2025. There are also uneducated women who can’t read and write which causes alarm in todays developing world.
A good Agrifood System is influenced by a good political economy that shapes food security, economic development, environment sustainability, social equity, resilience and adaptability, health and well-being.
UN is on the forefront of gender equality and women empowerment. UN handles the invisibility of women and recognition. Women are the ones who sell Jewellery in order to take care of their family needs all round. Women contribute greatly to development but are not recognized. Men are we titled to own land in Africa while women are not allowed and are looked down upon.
Women have less land rights. Women generally earn 82 cents for every dollar a man makes. Women face work burdens and are more susceptible to climate change because of child care. Women also lose more jobs, have limited access to education and technology and gender blind policies also affect the woman.
The youth face challenges of lack of knowledge, lack of financial and physical capital, low aspirations, and wanting to migrate to urban areas hence abandon agriculture and food production.
When women are given better rights and power to own the economy thrives.
Into Ethiopia, women have been channelled towards cash crop farming and better technology. Single women in Nairobi for example Kibera thrive when child care is offered to them so as to get more time to do manual jobs as a income generating activity. In DRC, when childcare was offered it reduced multitasking and offered control and happiness.”
Dr Beatrice Muriithi, a scientist at ICIPE, stated:
“It is an open secret that we have relied on external donors. But this is the time to look for local solutions. What can we do on our own so that we can be able to integrate and sustain ourselves? The effort that the donor is putting, what other solutions can we also enhance or upgrade what we have so that it is sustainable in the long run. Not just money resources, but also human resources.”
