Despite women making up the majority of the agricultural workforce in sub-Saharan Africa, their representation in agricultural research leadership remains significantly low. A new initiative aims to change that by empowering women scientists and strengthening institutional support systems across the continent.

According to the Status of Women in Agrifood Systems in sub-Saharan Africa, women account for 76% of the agrifood workforce in the region, yet represent only 22% of agricultural researchers. This disparity highlights a critical gap in leadership, innovation, and decision-making within the sector.

New Leadership Program Targets Women Scientists

In response, the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development has partnered with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and CIFOR-ICRAF to launch the Women in Agriculture Leadership Program.

The initiative will support 100 women professionals across Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, and Senegal. It forms part of the broader Africa–Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, designed to strengthen climate resilience across African food systems.

Driving Climate-Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture

Speaking at the launch, Jenny Da Rinn highlighted Australia’s commitment of over $76 million toward strengthening agricultural systems in Africa.

She emphasized that meaningful climate resilience cannot be achieved without women’s participation, noting that the program is focused not only on training but also on positioning women in decision-making roles.

Bridging the Gap in Research and Innovation

Susan Kaaria stressed that current research systems often fail to account for the structural and institutional barriers facing women.

She noted that without inclusive systems, scientific outcomes remain incomplete, limiting the effectiveness of agricultural solutions. The program, therefore, combines leadership development with institutional strengthening, ensuring women scientists are equipped with both influence and opportunity.

This includes integrating gender-responsive policies into research institutions, enabling environments where women can lead, innovate, and drive transformation in agriculture.

Institutional Change Key to Long-Term Impact

From a systems perspective, Philip Osano underscored that tackling climate change requires more than technical expertise. It demands intentional leadership, partnerships, and inclusive institutional frameworks.

He highlighted that empowering individuals must go hand-in-hand with transforming institutions to support sustained impact.

Similarly, Leah Ndung’u pointed out that the success of the program will ultimately be measured by the real-world impact participants create—in their research, institutions, and policy influence.

Conclusion

The Women in Agriculture Leadership Program represents a significant step toward closing the gender gap in agricultural research across Africa. By investing in both people and institutions, the initiative aims to unlock the full potential of women scientists and accelerate the development of climate-resilient, inclusive food systems on the continent.