UN Women has empowered more than 200 rural women farmers in Ebonyi State with vital agricultural support, including fertilizer distribution, improved rice seedlings, and the launch of a biogas production project to drive sustainable energy access.
These initiatives align with Nigeria’s economic priorities and Sustainable Development Goals, specifically food security (SDG 2), gender equality (SDG 5), and climate action (SDG 13), and aim to enhance food productivity, household incomes, and environmental sustainability.
Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, spoke on the importance of empowering rural women in agriculture through the Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) program, a key element of the UN’s partnership with Nigeria to support the nation’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. “This initiative supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current government, which focuses on economic growth through strategic investment in agriculture,” she said.
Rural beneficiaries shared their experiences, noting that the program has transformed farming from subsistence to business. “This support will improve the lives of women and girls in our communities,” one farmer said.
Beyond agricultural support, UN Women also introduced a Low-cost Biogas Household Production Project to reduce dependence on fuelwood, address health risks, and promote clean energy. This biogas project has already trained 250 rural women in Ebonyi in the technology’s use and maintenance, and future training sessions for artisans and extension workers aim to ensure its sustainability.
The event, held on November 5, 2024, was attended by Ms. Eyong, government officials, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders. UN Women called for increased government collaboration and funding to expand the biogas initiative, demonstrating the organization’s ongoing commitment to sustainable rural development and women’s economic empowerment.
UN Women remains committed to enhancing gender equality and economic opportunity for women across Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.
