The Global Human Rights Centre (GHRC), led by Dr. Cynthia C. Umezulike, presented a thematic report and policy recommendation statement at the World Food Forum Thematic Youth Assembly on Supporting Women and Girls in Decent Rural Employment, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Organized in technical cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the forum brought together global stakeholders committed to advancing sustainable economic opportunities for rural women and girls.
Evidence from the Ground: Voices of Young Rural Women in Nigeria
Drawing on GHRC’s field research, the presentation highlighted findings from extensive interviews and surveys with rural market women under the age of 30 in Enugu State, Nigeria. These young women, at the heart of local food economies, shared lived experiences of exclusion, precarity, and resilience.
The report revealed how structural barriers including limited access to finance, discriminatory land tenure systems, and lack of social protections continue to marginalise rural women from fully participating in sustainable agri-food systems. These barriers not only constrain individual livelihoods but also weaken the resilience of rural economies and threaten local food security.
Policy Insights and Recommendations
We stressed that “financial inclusion and economic stabilisation are non-negotiable if rural women are to continue anchoring local economies, strengthening food security, and sustaining their vital role in the agricultural value chain.”
GHRC’s policy recommendations called for:
- Targeted financial inclusion programmes that give rural women access to credit, savings, and insurance.
- Stronger labour protections for women in informal agri-food economies.
- Capacity-building initiatives to support entrepreneurship and leadership among young women.
- Climate-sensitive social safety nets to reduce vulnerability to economic shocks and environmental disruptions.
Why It Matters
The presentation underscored the urgency of empowering young rural women as key drivers of resilient and sustainable food systems. Ensuring their inclusion in decision-making and economic opportunities is essential not only for gender justice but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on poverty eradication, gender equality, and food security.
As Dr. Umezulike affirmed, “Rural women are not beneficiaries of development they are architects of resilient futures. But without meaningful economic inclusion, their potential remains systematically constrained.”
GHRC’s Ongoing Commitment
Through this work, GHRC continues to champion rights-based approaches to development in agri-food systems. By elevating the voices of rural women and translating evidence into actionable policy, we are shaping global conversations on gender, sustainability, and human rights in agriculture.