March 2025
Monday 31
Nadi, Fiji (March 31st 2025): Pacific Farmer Organisations (PFO) successfully convened a virtual Roundtable Discussion on Gender Empowerment in Agriculture, held via Zoom from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Fiji Time. The event served as a dynamic “talanoa” platform, showcasing the vital work of PFO member organisations in advancing women’s empowerment through the DFAT-funded Climate Resilient Farming in the Pacific Islands (CRFPI) project.
The discussion drew on insights from the recent Gender Assessment Report and explored key recommendations to enhance gender inclusivity in agricultural development.
Panelists included:
- Babra Tomi, Women Empowerment Officer, PNG Women in Agriculture (Papua New Guinea)
- Latai Smith, Women Empowerment Officer, Teitei Taveuni (Fiji)
- Ferite Taualai, Women Empowerment Officer, Women in Business Development Inc. (Samoa)
- Peter Kao, Associate Director, Farm Support Association (Vanuatu)
- Joanico J. Ximenes, General Secretary & Project Manager, ANAPROFIKO (Timor-Leste)
Key themes highlighted during the roundtable included:
- Women’s Contributions: Recognising the critical roles women play in agricultural practices and community leadership.
- Community Engagement: Emphasising the need for whole-of-community participation in project planning and implementation.
- Training and Support: Stressing the importance of resources, skills training, and ongoing gender assessments to strengthen sustainable farming outcomes.
- Inclusive Approaches: Promoting gender-balanced participation by involving both women and men in climate resilience strategies.
- Future Directions: Addressing challenges faced by women and identifying opportunities to scale up successful empowerment initiatives.
- Acknowledgement and Progress: Celebrating the continuing achievements and leadership of women in agriculture across the Pacific.
The event reaffirmed PFO’s commitment to inclusive agricultural development and the pivotal role of women in building climate-resilient communities.