Malawi: the TRADE project for gender equality in agriculture

Alefa Ofesa and her husband Lloyd have been farming for over 20 years in Malawi. For two years, Alefa and other women in her village have benefited from support from the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development.

In Malawi, women are most affected by extreme weather events like floods and droughts because discriminatory gender norms prevent them from accessing the education, finance, land ownership and climate information they need. need to adapt.

This is why it was imperative for Alefa Ofesa and the women of her community to receive training in new agricultural practices: "Here, a large number of women are now experts in agricultural activities and, they have realized how important it is to "unite, and that allows us to make profits." said Alefa, with pride. 

Despite the potential of these women, they are not a priority for the government, and are underrepresented at all levels of decision-making on climate issues. 

Amos Mailosi, Regional Manager for the TRADE program, hopes that they can participate in the debates, as well as men: "The issue of gender and social inclusion is one of the key thematic areas that the TRADE program promotes. We Let's try to empower women and men, boys and girls, to participate in interventions on an equal footing. This way, they can realize together the importance of common decision-making at the household level." .

Alefa and her family now have enough food to last the whole year, so she can sell part of her harvest in nearby village markets and expand her business.