The commemoration of the 6th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) in October 2015 has given special focus to Women.  This follows the announcement at the 24th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit which declared 2015 as the “Year of Women Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”.

It is widely recognized that women play a central role in food and nutrition security. Research evidence estimates that women in Africa contribute to over 60 percent of farm labour. At the household level, an overwhelming majority of women prepare the food consumed, in addition to other household chores. . Hence, women are key to ending hunger and malnutrition as they form the backbone of smallholder agriculture in their various roles as producers, processors, and traders, among others.

Drawing on the theme and focus of the commemoration, several sub-themes are proposed to be further explored and given focus in advocacy, demonstrations, messaging and panel discussions by experts during the main event. They will also contribute to the thrust of the event’s background papers and documents.

The key objectives of 2015 ADFNS

• Create widespread awareness on the importance of investing in value-chains of strategic (and high value nutritive foods)  food and agricultural commodities in order to promote food and nutrition security on the
• continent as well as the resulting effect on social and economic growth;
• Facilitate a principled dialogue between a diversity of high-level national stakeholders as well as other state and non-state actors (including farmers’ organizations, private business entities and Africa’s academic and research institutions) in deliberating on an action-plan to end hunger and malnutrition on the continent;
• Share best practices and innovations on women’s empowerment;
• Create awareness among women farmers of  trade opportunities for local and African traditional foods and their importance in facilitating food and nutrition security through increasing dietary diversification;
• Promote production and consumption of high quality food such as fortified foods with micronutrients, diverse nutrient dense vegetables and fruits and animal source foods

Who should attend the ADFNS?

The ADFNS is expected to include a wide range of stakeholders, such as civil society, the private sector, the scientific community, farmers and development partners. As befitting the focus of the commemoration, women groups, women organisations and entrepreneurs will be specially invited to participate.

Uganda will host the 2015 ADFNS continental-level commemoration on the 28th – 30th October, in Kampala. Member States of the African Union are also expected to prepare and commemorate the ADFNS in synchrony with the continental-level event and the relevant stakeholders are encouraged to support the organisation of the ADFNS at the national level.

Documents

Concept note: Download the PDF

Flyer: Download the PDF