To celebrate the incredible work of women farmers and how they are working with farmers organisations, we are sharing a series of stories Women & Farmers’ Organisations.
For our first story, we showcase the work of ROPPA (West African Network of Farmers and Producers Organisations).

Mme Halima Tiousso, President of the Women Committee of ROPPA, and her team shared her insights with us.

“For a long time, women were seen as ‘supporting actors’: present in production, processing and marketing, but absent from decision-making, economic recognition and political influence.
The actions carried out by ROPPA and its member platforms have helped to change this perception. This empowerment is not limited to access to resources or income. It also concerns women’s ability to organise, decide, negotiate, influence public policy and pass on a sustainable vision of family farming to future generations.”

“Women’s empowerment is a process, not an immediate result. It requires time, trust, safe learning spaces and ongoing support. One-off approaches or those focused solely on numbers do not produce lasting change. The peasant university that brings us together today has played a fundamental role in strengthening our capacities.

It is clear that women’s empowerment cannot be separated from the transformation of family farms and rural areas. When women advance, families, communities and local economies are strengthened.

Finally, the outlook must go beyond symbolic participation. ROPPA intends to continue its efforts to:
– consolidate women’s political and economic leadership,
– strengthen their equitable access to productive resources, finance and markets,
– and promote intergenerational empowerment by building strong bridges between rural women and girls.”