Especially in this region, women play a crucial role within the agricultural workforce, but often face far greater constraints than men. Firstly, in terms of access to and control over land, agricultural inputs, benefits and credit. Secondly, due to time constraints because they often also carry the majority of the house and care work. Thirdly, in terms of lower decision-making power, often both within the workforce and in the household. In our experience, the role women fulfill within agriculture is too often not acknowledged by researchers, extension agents, and traders. Partly because it is a problem with several interacting dimensions – i.e. power structures within the workforce and the household – it requires additional effort to intervene. This also makes it a highly sensitive problem and intervention area, where special attention should be given to (un)intended consequences. Not acknowledging the specific needs and preferences of women and vulnerable people in such interventions is keeping them from reaching their full potential and living their best life. Including and fully acknowledging women creates, in addition to being fair and equitable, an optimal society in terms of both development and well-being.

We have witnessed the same within higher education institutions, where women and minorities are insufficiently acknowledged and included in the workplace or the classroom. They often do not get a fair chance to participate on a decision-making level or get the opportunity to make the most of their talents. Too often people are excluded because they belong to a different group than those in positions of privilege or power. This can be due to who they are or what they believe, relating to, among other things, gender, ethnicity, age, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, religion and class. We see that women face greater constraints than men, but gender is not the only identity marker that affects people’s opportunities and power. There is a need for interventions that are inclusive and take into account gender and other identities to ensure no one is left behind.

Our mission is to build inclusive and strong networks that promote equal opportunities within food systems and natural resource management. ​Hereby, we focus on individual empowerment and emphasize collective action.

• Diversity and inclusivity
• Fair distribution
• Recognition