Forum in Juba Elevates Gender Equity Agenda
A high-level Policy Dissemination Forum convened by the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund gathered government, UN agencies and civil society in Juba. Delegates pressed for urgent, gender-responsive policies that embed women at every point of the agricultural value chain.
Women Farmers’ Invisible Labour Highlighted
Adong Betty, speaking for the UN Women Country Representative, underlined that women produce most household food yet remain excluded from decisions, resources and markets. “Women till the land that feeds families and communities, yet their contributions remain invisible,” she noted, urging systemic change.
Structural Barriers Undermine Productivity
Participants cited discriminatory land rights, limited credit, scarce technology and restrictive cultural norms as persistent obstacles. These factors suppress yields in a sector employing over 70 percent of the population, attendees heard during the discussions.
Policy Brief Maps Practical Solutions
The forum unpacked findings from a new brief produced under the Investing in Women, South Sudan programme. Recommendations focus on amplifying women’s leadership, improving resource access and embedding gender considerations throughout agricultural policy frameworks.
Stakeholders Pledge Continued Support
In closing remarks, partners reaffirmed commitment to recognise women farmers as central actors in South Sudan’s agricultural transformation. They stressed that gender equality in agriculture underpins food security, economic stability and long-term peace across the country.