Empowering rural women for responsible agricultural investment in Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone, rural women make up about 70 % of the agricultural labour force but face persistent gender inequalities that limit their access to land, training, finance and decision-making opportunities. These barriers constrain women’s ability to move beyond subsistence farming and benefit from agricultural investments that could improve their livelihoods and contribute to food security.

To address this, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with Solidaridad West Africa, launched a multi-phase capacity development programme aimed at empowering rural women and their organisations to engage in Responsible Agricultural Investments (RAI) and participate meaningfully in policy dialogue and decision-making processes.

The initiative began in late 2022 with a Training of Trainers (ToT) that equipped representatives of women’s groups with skills, knowledge and innovative, women-responsive training methodologies tailored to local needs. Participants learned to help rural women identify challenges to investment, understand national policies, including land rights and gender equality laws, and explore solutions that improve access to resources and opportunities.

The second and subsequent phases expanded these trainings to more districts, supporting grassroots women to lead peer sessions, share their concerns and recommendations with local authorities, and engage in constructive dialogue aimed at shaping more gender-responsive investment environments.

By the end of 2024, the programme had benefitted hundreds of rural women and local leaders, fostering greater awareness of women’s rights, strengthening women’s voices in governance, and promoting responsible investments that contribute to sustainable development, food security and inclusive economic growth. Continued follow-up seeks to reinforce commitments made during district dialogues and ensure women’s sustained participation in responsible agricultural investment processes. 

Related links

https://www.fao.org/newsroom/story/Raising-rural-women-s-voices-in-Sierra-Leone/fr