SYMPOSIUM ON GENDER, HIV/AIDS INTEGRATION INTO AGRICULTURE UN Women in conjunction with CISANET organized a one day symposium on integrating gender, HIV/AIDS into agriculture. This symposium was held on 9th December, 2014. The symposium was organized to discuss and deliberate the prevailing and emerging gender and HIV/AIDS issues in the agriculture sector and the lessons learnt for future sustainable growth and development within the agriculture sector in Malawi. The symposium gave a platform to share experiences and good practices on gender and HIV/AIDS integration in the agriculture sector; and develop a deeper understanding of the pertinent issues, constraints and challenges which impact negatively on women’s engagement in agricultural activities. The symposium which was officially opened by the Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Hon. Patricia Kaliati, attracted the government, the donor community, the private sector, Non-Governmental organizations, and academia among others. ENDS ........................ SPEECH BY MINISTER OF GENDER, CHILDREN, DISABILITY AND SOCIAL WELFARE HONOURABLE PATRICIA KALIATI AT THE SYMPOSIUM ON GENDER AND HIV/AIDS INTEGRATION INTO AGRICULTURE DATE: 9th December, 2014, It gives me great pleasure this morning to preside over this opening ceremony of the symposium on Gender and HIV/AIDS integration into agriculture. I have been informed that this symposium has been convened to share experiences and good practices on gender and HIV/AIDS integration in the agriculture sector; and develop a deeper understanding of the pertinent issues, constraints and challenges which impact negatively on women’s engagement in agricultural activities. On behalf of the Government of Malawi and indeed on my own behalf, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET) and UN Women for extending this invitation to me to be part of this gathering. Ladies and Gentlemen; Before I go any further, allow me to point out that the Government of Malawi greatly appreciates the support that we are receiving from the Non state actors. We acknowledge the massive investment from the NGOs in different subsectors of agriculture that have greatly contributed to the realization of the aspirations of the ASWAp and I believe that if we work together as partners we are going to achieve more. Ladies and Gentlemen, It is quite a concern to note that Malawi after 50 years of independence still experiences high levels of gender imbalances in most of the programs being implemented by NGOs and government in the agriculture sector. The Malawi economy relies heavily on agriculture which contributes about 39% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The agriculture sector employs 80% of the workforce, and contributes about 80% of foreign exchange earnings. As one way of increasing growth in the agriculture sector, Malawi developed an investment plan called Agriculture Sector Wide Approach (ASWAp) as a strategy for promoting agricultural growth, and achieving nutrition, food security and poverty reduction. The ASWAp reflects priorities of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy 2 and Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) of the African Union. ASWAp recognizes the role that women play in agricultural productivity in Malawi. Statistics have shown that women make up about 70% of the agricultural labor force, producing 70% of the household food. However, it is quite a concern to note that women have limited access to and control over means of production, including inputs, land, credit and extension services. This makes it difficult for women smallholder farmers to benefit from agricultural productivity and growth. Ladies and Gentlemen In addition, women account for one in five new HIV diagnoses and deaths caused by HIV/AIDS. These high rates have a compounding effect on their access and control to agricultural services resulting to most female headed households suffering from frequent food shortages. Recognizing this challenge, the Malawi Government, under its Agriculture Sector Wide Approach (ASWAp) investment plan, developed a Gender and HIV/AIDS strategy to provide strategic direction in gender HIV and AIDS mainstreaming into the agriculture sector. However, despite such efforts, gender issues have not received the attention they deserve. Gender issues are not very much emphasized as they should be in the process of planning, implementation and monitoring of agricultural programs. This is quite a concern to my Ministry and Government at large. It is therefore the intention of Government to ensure gender inclusiveness especially with regards to women involvement in agricultural programs. In this respect, the Government of Malawi through my Ministry appreciates the initiative taken by CISANET and UN Women to organize this symposium meeting that has brought together experts in gender and agriculture. We hope the outcomes of this symposium will help in bridging the existing gaps, and we look forward to receive the recommendations from this meeting. Let me take this opportunity to thank all of you for coming to participate in this event which I believe will provide strategic direction to integrating gender, HIV/AIDS into agriculture. Let me also thank UN Women for providing resources that has made this symposium possible. With these few remarks ladies and gentlemen, I hereby formally declare the Symposium on Gender, HIV/AIDS Integration into Agriculture officially opened. Thank you for your attention and may GOD bless you!
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 12:47:27 +0000
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