Pacific farmers celebrate women
A celebration of the leadership women farmers provide and the resilience they’ve shown over these difficult few years.
Women who work in agriculture do not get enough recognition and that lack of awareness of the substantial work they do can be problematic.
The Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network (PIFON) says mainstreaming of gender perspectives in agriculture is necessary because it can lead to better allocation of resources at national level.
PIFON programme manager, Lavinia Kaumaitotoya said this was why celebrating the leadership and resilience of women in agriculture was a crucial part of PIFON work.
Women in Agriculture
Using its Women in Agriculture Network (WIAN), PIFON will bring together 10 women farmers from across the Pacific on March 8 and March 9 at an online event to share how they worked through the COVID19 pandemic and ongoing Climate Change crisis.
“Pacific Women in Agriculture play a considerable role in contributing to the livelihoods of their families and economies yet their potential has not fully developed because of the lack of recognition of their contribution to Agriculture,” Ms Kaumaitotoya said.
“This IWD PIFON Talanoa is a celebration of the leadership women farmers provide and the resilience they displayed over these difficult two years.”
Leading the charge is octogenarian Aileen Burness who has been credited with the growth of floriculture in the region. Ms Burness manages the Pacific’s largest orchid nursery, South Sea Orchids which is based in Nadi.
Speakers
Also sharing their experiences are Lasa Aiono of the Samoa Farmers Association, Maria Linibi of the Papua New Guinea Women in Agriculture and Development, Jiu Daunivalu of the Fiji Crop Livestock & Council, Jenny Nishi of Nishi Trading in Tonga, Bernadette Teremoana of Te Tango Enu in the Cook Islands and Serenia Madigibuli of the Tutu Training Centre.
“Women Farmers have led communities in the Pacific during some of the worst times in our global history with Climate Change and COVID19 compounding the economic difficulties we already face in this region,” Ms Kaumaitotoya said.
“During these most recent challenges, these women have shown incredible leadership at keeping the Agricultural Sector productive at a time when the whole world turned to farms to survive.”
The Pacific Farmers IWD Talanoa Event will take place at 4.30pm-6:30pm Fiji Time on March 8 and March 9. To register, click https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsfumtrz0pG9CDwTFxvfKHQcu4Ce_4zNk9
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