Abuja: Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has pledged its commitment to strengthening community support systems against gender-based violence and promoting gender-inclusive agricultural policies. The organisation aims to ensure that every woman farmer is protected and empowered. This assurance was given at a stakeholders’ engagement and community dialogue on ‘Orange the Farms’ in commemoration of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the dialogue was organised by SWOFON FCT in collaboration with ActionAid. Mrs. Hajara Ramson, Programme Officer at SWOFON, stated that the engagement aimed to raise awareness on GBV within agricultural spaces and promote gender equity in access to resources. It also seeks to mobilise collective action toward safer and more inclusive farming environments. Ramson emphasized that women farmers, being the backbone of food production, continue to face discrimination, unequal access to resources, harassment, and unsafe environments.
Ramson noted that violence against women farmers is not only a violation of their rights but also a direct threat to food security, family well-being, and national development. Protecting smallholder women farmers from GBV is essential for achieving gender equality, economic inclusion, and sustainable agricultural development. She urged that the 16 Days of Activism against GBV be used to speak up, support survivors, challenge harmful norms, and build a future where every woman farmer can live and work free from violence.
The 2025 16 Days of Activism against GBV presents an opportunity to stand with smallholder women farmers whose voices, dignity, and potential have been limited by violence in various forms, including physical, economic, emotional, and digital. GBV remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, impacting women’s dignity, productivity, and economic stability. Ramson highlighted that smallholder women farmers in rural and semi-urban communities in FCT experience multiple forms of violence and discrimination, ranging from limited access to land and productive resources to domestic and workplace abuse and economic exploitation.
Mrs. Comfort Sunday, Chairperson of SWOFON FCT, expressed concern over the rising cases of gender-based violence and discrimination affecting women, especially in terms of unequal access to farmland and control over farm proceeds. Sunday noted that such challenges hinder women’s ability to farm and earn income directly. Instances were cited where husbands deny their wives access to farmland, give lands to other women outside their households, or seize farm proceeds.
Mr. Ibrahim Shafa, Secretary of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) FCT Chapter, mentioned that many women suffer from GBV but are unable to speak out. He stressed the need for men to be sensitised about the ills of GBV and how to guard against it. Additionally, SWOFON Programme Coordinator, Ogechi Okebugwu, stated that the organisation had established a 5-man group in all Area Councils in FCT to effectively report cases of violation. This initiative targets smallholder women farmers and children while also engaging men and community leaders to address harmful practices.