Rural women play a major role in improving the overall well-being of their households and communities by achieving food and nutrition security, generating income and improving rural livelihoods.
However, they face various constraints which hamper their efforts to improve their lives and those around them.
Following the International Day for Rural Women, various development practitioners, the government, private sector and farmers met to share information and practices on recognizing and enhancing the important role rural women play in fighting poverty and hunger.
To recognize this role and share experiences of where these constraints are being dealt with, WorldFish, together with its partners in southern Bangladesh (Jessore, Khulna and Barisal) organized a 2-day workshop at the RRF Training and Resource Center in Jessore.
USAID-funded Feed the Future project partners in WorldFish and the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems were key participants of the event.
During the workshop, female farmers were given the chance to speak out about their experiences along with partner representatives.
The workshop involved two site visits for the guests from the US Embassy and others, along with an exhibition showcasing various technologies, interventions, extension materials that are being used to promote and enhance the role of rural women.
Organized by WorldFish, an international nonprofit research organization committed to reducing poverty and hunger through fisheries and aquaculture, and the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems, the workshop included presentations from HKI, BRAC, CODEC, SpeedTrust, TMSS, Baachte Shekha and other CGIAR Consortium Centers including IRRI CIMMYT and WorldFish.
A broad range of partners and stakeholders, including representatives from Government institutions; private sector, research institutions, national and international NGOs and USAID also attended the workshop.
The workshop provided a platform to share experiences and best practices, and enabled female farmers to speak out about the changes that have been brought about, and the challenges they face. The exhibition and site visits provided examples for the participants, and served as a motivational exchange visit for the farmers.
About WorldFish
WorldFish, a member of the CGIAR Consortium, is an international, nonprofit research organization committed to reducing poverty and hunger through fisheries and aquaculture.
About CGIAR
CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.
For more information on the workshop or any aspect of this topic, please contact:
Dr. Craig Meisner
WorldFish Bangladesh office
P: (+880-2) 881 3250 or (+880-2) 881 4624