An upfront Investment on Women Agriculturalists

An upfront Investment on Women Agriculturalists Reportage by Yacob Kiflu The Eritrean women’s long journey of emancipation goes hand in hand with the 30 years liberation struggle. The organized form of women’s participation in the struggle started some 40 years back, out of which 30 years under the shade of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW).

After 30 years of journey and colossal progress, NUEW is on the process of conducting a series of workshops on different themes to evaluate its achievements and challenges ahead. The general theme chosen for these occasions is “Our Youths, Our Guarantees!!” having the confidence that the road ahead for social justice and equality will be fulfilled by our youths. Mendefera, the center city of zoba Debub, is the first to launch such workshop under the sub-theme ‘Invest on Women to Ensure Food Security’ from June 4-5, 2009. This workshop mainly focused on women agriculturalists across the country as conducting evaluations on the degree of the achievements so far gained and there by scrutinizing the jobs left to be done. The 2 days preliminary workshop was entertained in the auditorium H.G. & Family Hotel, where around 150 participants took part.

The workshop commenced, by paying one-minute silent tribute to commemorate our fallen heroes. In next to no time, the head of NUEW Southern Branch, Ms. Weyni Negash appeared on the stage to welcome government officials, invited guests and other participants of the meeting. While explaining the aim of the workshop to the audience, Ms Weyni stated that the government of Eritrea, especially the Ministry of Agriculture had been exerting extra force to achieve food security across the nation. As part of the farm community, women farmers have faced certain challenges and opportunities in their life. Therefore, the expectations from the workshop were very high as it prepared to find out the steps that could be taken to conquer the challenges. For five full of months experts had been working to prepare the study papers which would be shared and enriched by all the conferees, Ms Weyni pointed up.

Governor of the Southern Regional Administration, Mr. Mustafa Nurhusen, on his part, opened his speech by committing himself to the commitment of the government of Eritrea on gender equality that could have vast influence upon the society’s psychological phenomenon. “The issue of women is the issue of society”, Mr. Mustafa underscored, “and every one of us should have the obligations to subsist on gender sensitive ideologies in all sectors starting from our language”.

“The theme of today is significant and up-to-date, as the whole nation is engaged on the process of building infrastructures across the country, which have a direct connection with food security”, Mr. Mustafa emphasized as a final point.

During the occasion, H.E. Mr. Arefayne Berhe, the Minister of Agriculture, addressed the workshop participants, that the question of food security does not mean providing food supplies merely. Mr. Arefayne elaborated, “Food security is national security and possessing the rights of self-suffrage. His excellence stressed that food security cannot be attained by ruling out half of the society, which comprised women”.

Food security is not only the accumulation of foodstuff provisions, but also safeguarding sustainable and nutritious food supplies. Such activities need to be promoted by ensuring women have a stake, since they have direct relations with food production. Mr. Arefayne further elaborated his statement by saying that our women have proven to be successful in all areas they participate. It is due to their intense commitment and compassion, in spite of their triple caring role. Therefore, making women engage in food security programs is a stone head in aggregated food supply.

Ms. Luul Gebreab, president of the NUEW, also took the floor and presented the message of the day. Ms. Luul notified that the theme of the day will lead us to discuss about contributions and challenges of women agriculturalists that constitute 70% from the overall population of Eritrea. She also informed that agriculture as defined by FAO encompass, “agriculture, forestry, fisheries, livestock, land and water, agro-industries, and environment”.

Ms. Luul also expressed the significance and timing of the workshop, to revisit and come up with appropriate recommendations in this workshop, and her steadfast conviction to springboard women’s participation from the subsistence farming to the government of Eritrea led agro–industrial mechanization.

Ms. Luul expressed that the first stepladder for food security is toensure the participation of women in safeguarding the needs of nourished food for all citizens, and for that r eason the conference participants are expected to come up with ideas that enable to take further steps in the future. She stated that it is time to cleanse ourselves from the myth that the role of women in agricultural sector is just complementary. Ms Luul called the participants to disclose the role of women in agriculture by rejecting the stereotypical differences, and identify the major causes that hinder women from managing effective agricultural activities as well as enlighten the unparalleled opportunities that the agriculture sector covers. In conclusion, she stated that our female youths have to be empowered to play a great role in this realm and maximize their share by minimizing household responsibilities and leveling the playing field.

Later on that day, the papers were presented on topics, Practical Analysis of Gender and Pastoralism by Ms. Belaynesh Siyoum, international relations head, of NUEW. Her paper focused on gender disparity, the relation between income and productivity of agriculture, and the causes of poverty. Ms. Belainesh reminded the participants to eradicate poverty and secure food supplies, gender mainstreaming in the agricultural policy and operational activity was needed.

Later, representative from the ministry of agriculture, from the administrative zobas consecutively presented their papers that reflected the current conditions of women agriculturalists. The papers clearly illustrated the contributions made by women, in agricultural activities. According to the reports, the role of women in rural farming ranges from 80-90%. Evidently, this number has a strong effect in cumulative national food security output.

The participants came to a consensus that the participation of women in agriculture is directly associated with land tenure system. In spite of the fact that the law has granted Eritrean women the right to own land, the furtherance of its implementation is still hindered in some areas and needs revisiting.

Women’s linkage with marine agriculture and animal breeding also was appraised during this meeting. In connection with sea activities, the workshop explored women’s participation in exploiting the Red Sea resources, within the 121,000 square kilometer water territory. Currently, though limited women are engaged in sea and clean water fishing, collecting fish nails, making fish nets and securing fresh fish markets and.

Further, the conditions of women agricultural professionals in the sector were widely discussed. Due to the traditional practices of the society that underestimated women’s role in farm productions, the existence and participation of women professionals in agriculture is still few in number, and they have limited representation in key posts. The number of students in Marine and Agriculture Colleges is not yet encouraging too, due to this reality, the participants called further measures to be taken to encourage girls to join Marine and Agricultural colleges.

During the workshop, 12 women role models from the six Administrative Zobas were given the opportunity to share their experiences. All parts of small organized groups that have invested in modern farm activities, such as gardening, chicken proliferation, and other agro activities. The women exemplars all shared the same conviction that the secret of their success was their commitment and strong vision.

Ms. Zahra Yasin, for instance, runs 17 acres of farm land independently. When she explained about her income from the land and the efforts put forth notified, “if some one gives you gold, it might be lost, but self initiation, education and hard work always pays off and remains within you”.

Ms. Meharite Misghina, a farmer from Tsorona sub zone, clarified that it was a long process and started with small vegetable gardening, to fruit cultivation. She notified that due to her hard work her self esteem has been high and have succeeded in her livelihood. She confidently stated that she was able to reap what she saw, empowered and able to support her children in school life.

Finally group discussions were held on pertinent issues and came out with recommendations. The workshop conferees passed recommendations and hailed NUEW for organizing such a successful event. The two days workshop folded when participants conducted a tour to visit the Dirko Micro-Dam and witnessed the initiative taken by the local government in cooperation with the ministry of agriculture and NUEW, were a cooperative of 105 women are preparing to irrigate land allocated for ensuring food security around Diruko dam.