The FCT Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation (SWOFON) has called for immediate actions on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against women farmers across the country to tackle food insecurity.
The leaders of the organisation made the call in Abuja at a stakeholders’ consultative forum and briefing on hunger and SGBV among smallholder women farmers.
The FCT-Gwagwalada Coordinator of SWOFON, Ogedengbe Olabisi and FCT-Kuje Coordinator, Mercy Nnanna, who spoke on behalf of their colleagues, said Gender-Based Violence (GBV) was a critical issue, which has profound effects on smallholder women farmers.
Olabisi said that a negative development affecting a coalition of over 500,000 women farmers associations and groups across 36 states and FCT in Nigeria cannot be taken with levity.
“Smallholder women farmers are the backbone of our agricultural economy, contributing significantly to food security, household income, and rural development. Yet, they face systemic challenge that impede their productivity and well-being. Among these challenges, GBV stands out as a pervasive and often overlooked obstacle.
“Many women farmers experience physical violence, sexual harassment, and emotional abuse, often within their homes, communities, or workplaces. This leads to diminished mental health, reduced productivity, and, in severe cases, abandonment of farming altogether,” Olabisi said.
She also said that GBV limits women’s access to resources such as land, credit, and inputs, restricts their ability to participate in training programs or access markets, further entrenching poverty and inequality, thus leading to economic disempowerment.
She said that due to fear of stigma and retaliation, women often refrain from advocating for their rights or participating in community decision-making processes and that this loss of voice hinders progress for themselves and their communities.
She said, “Addressing GBV and its impact on smallholder women farmers requires a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach: Policy Intervention -enforce laws and policies that protect women’s rights, ensure equal access to agricultural resources, and address GBV in rural areas.
“Community Engagement to foster awareness and dialogue within communities to challenge harmful norms and practices perpetuating GBV.”
Nnanna on her part, want empowerment programs, to provide women with education, leadership training, and access to support networks to build resilience and confidence; strengthening support systems, by establishing accessible reporting mechanisms, legal aid, and psychosocial support services tailored to rural women.
“Tackling gender-based violence is not just a moral imperative; it is essential for achieving food security, economic growth, and sustainable development. By empowering smallholder women farmers and protecting them from GBV, we can unlock their full potential and build stronger, more resilient communities.
“We urge all stakeholders, government, civil society, private sector, and individuals, to join us in this fight. Together, we can create a future where women farmers thrive, free from fear and violence,” Nnanna said.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
