By Felicia Imohimi
Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has pledged its commitment to strengthening community support systems against gender-based violence.
It said it was also committed to promoting gender-inclusive agricultural policies and ensure that every woman farmer was protected and empowered.
The organisation gave the assurance at a stakeholders Engagement and Community Dialogue on “Orange the Farms” in commemoration of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Monday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue was organised by SWOFON FCT in collaboration with ActionAid.
Mrs Hajara Ramson, Programme Officer SWOFON, said that the engagement was aimed at raising awareness on GBV within agricultural spaces.
According to her, it also targets promoting gender equity in access to resources and mobilise collective action towards safer and more inclusive farming environments.
Ramson, who identified women farmers as the backbone of food production, however, said that many continue to face discrimination, unequal access to resources, harassment and unsafe environments.
“Violence against them is not only a violation of their rights; it is a direct threat to food security, family well-being, and national development.
“As critical contributors to food security and community resilience, protecting smallholder women farmers from GBV is essential for achieving gender equality, economic inclusion, and sustainable agricultural development.
“When women farmers are safe, our farms grow. When they thrive, our communities flourish.
“Let us use these 16 days and beyond to speak up, support survivors, challenge harmful norms, and build a future where every woman farmer can live and work free from violence,” she said.
She further said that the 2025 16 Days of Activism against GBV provided the opportunity to stand with smallholder women farmers.
She said their voice, dignity and potential had been limited by violence in many forms, including physical, economic, emotional and digital.
Ramson said that GBV remained one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, with severe impacts on women’s dignity, productivity, and economic stability.
According to her, smallholder women farmers in rural and semi-urban communities in FCT experience multiple forms of violence and discrimination.
She said it ranged from limited access to land and productive resources to domestic and workplace abuse, economic exploitation.
She further said that they faced social exclusion that deepened poverty and dependence.
Ramson said that the 16 Days of Activism against GBV offered a strategic opportunity to spotlight these realities and call for systemic action to end all forms of violence.
“When women farmers are safe, our farms grow. When they thrive, our communities flourish.
“Let us use these 16 days and beyond to speak up, support survivors, challenge harmful norms, and build a future where every woman farmer can live and work free from violence,” she said.
Mrs Comfort Sunday, Chairperson, SWOFON FCT, frowned at the rising cases of gender-based violence and discrimination affecting women especially unequal access to farmland and control over farm proceeds.
Sunday said the challenges affected women’s ability to farm and earn income directly.
“Some husbands deny their wives access to farmland while giving same lands to other women outside their households.
“Even your husband gives you land once he notices that you are having bumper from the land, he will chase the woman from the land.
“Some men will go as far as seizing the farm proceed or monitor how the earnings are spent,” she said.
Mr Ibrahim Shafa, Secretary, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) FCT Chapter, said that many women suffered from GBV but unable to speak out.
“A woman will go to the farm, work tirelessly come back tired, and the husband will begin to bully her.
“Men need to be sensitised about the ills of GBV and how to guard against it,” he said.
Also, SWOFON Programme Coordinator, Ogechi Okebugwu, said the organisation had created a 5-man group in all Area Councils in FCT geared towards effective reportage of cases of violation.
“This initiative basically targets smallholder women farmers and children, while also engaging men and community leaders to address harmful practices.
“Men also need awareness. They have daughters too. Nobody wants their child to suffer abuse in marriage,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Uche Anunne
