Policy Dialogue Report: Insights on Women’s Empowerment, Food Security, and Decent Work from ARFSD
By Dominic Anggit, Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis Team
At this year’s 11th African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, we had the opportunity to host a side event that brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the intersection between women’s empowerment, food security, climate resilience, and decent work.
As knowledge brokers working at the interface of science, policy, and practice, we are constantly seeking ways to ensure that cutting-edge research reaches the people and institutions who need it most. The 11th African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, held in Kampala on April 9, 2025, provided just such an opportunity.
This year’s forum focused on: “Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.” It offered a unique platform to bring the latest findings from the ongoing project SDG Interactions and Policy Interventions in Developing Countries into direct conversation with policymakers and practitioners across the continent.
Our session highlighted findings from three research studies focused on the interaction between women’s empowerment, food security, and decent work — highlighting how high-level policy discussions can and must be grounded in grassroots realities. The event convened 43 participants from across research, policy, and practice, and inspired lively exchange following the researchers’ presentations and stakeholder reflections.
Key Research Insights
1. Women and the Water-Energy-Food-Health Nexus in Uganda
Tonny Ssekamatte (Wageningen University) presented findings on the often-overlooked role of women in managing the WEFH nexus in Uganda’s informal settlements. While women play a critical role in food production, water management, and social reproduction, they are typically excluded from formal governance processes. His research highlighted how climate shocks like flooding pose both challenges and adaptation opportunities — such as innovations in waste disposal and fish attraction. He emphasized that women act as key connectors between households and governance structures, and should be engaged in data sharing, bylaw development, and service mapping. Addressing gender-based resource competition is also essential for more inclusive governance.
2. Gendered Access to Resources in Kenya’s Dairy Sector
Rachel Gitundu (Wageningen University) explored how gender, age, and wealth shape women’s ability to benefit from dairy farming. Her research showed that women face major structural disadvantages, particularly in land ownership and control over livestock. Cultural norms allocate productive assets — like land and morning milk (which is sold formally) — to men, while women often manage evening milk for household use or informal sale. Gitundu argued that addressing patriarchal land inheritance, enabling women’s access to cooperatives, and expanding financial inclusion are key to improving food security and gender equity in the dairy sector.
3. Psychosocial Empowerment and Food Security in Ethiopia and Bangladesh
Prof. Robert Lensink (Groningen University) presented compelling findings on how psychosocial training — aimed at boosting women’s self-confidence, decision-making, and leadership — positively impacted the adoption of quality protein maize seeds. Women who received training were more willing to invest in improved inputs, leading to better food and nutrition outcomes. This research underscores that psychological empowerment is a powerful enabler for women’s agency in agricultural and household decision-making.
Expanding the Conversation: Metrics and Policy Perspectives
Adding to the discussion, Jessica Heckert (IFPRI) introduced the Women’s Empowerment Metric for National Statistical Systems (WEMNS). This tool measures not only instrumental agency (e.g., control over resources) but also intrinsic and collective agency, offering a more nuanced and holistic way to assess empowerment.
From a policy perspective, Hajra Mukasa (WaterAid Uganda) reflected on the intersection of unpaid labour, energy poverty, and food insecurity — three of the leading causes of poverty among women in East Africa. She stressed the importance of recognizing women’s existing roles when designing interventions, so as not to place additional burdens on them. Mukasa called for a shift from simply including women in decision-making spaces to meaningfully engaging them in shaping policy. She emphasized that equity — not just equality — must guide development approaches.
Conclusion: Women’s Empowerment as a Driver of SDG Progress
The research presented during the forum strongly reinforces the need to prioritize gender equality in development policymaking. Centering the lived experiences of women — particularly in rural and informal settings — can drive progress across multiple Sustainable Development Goals, from decent work to climate resilience and food security. When policies are designed with empowerment, inclusion, and practical impact in mind, they can truly be transformative. The key insights from our panel will hopefully be integrated into the collective output from the forum and thus contribute to Africa’s collective inputs to the HLPF to be held in New York in July 2025 and the Second World Summit for Social Development to be held in Qatar from 4 to 6 November 2025.
