By Daniel Itai
Jabulani Mabuza, the Minister of Agriculture in Eswatini, has emphasized the crucial role of securing land in empowering women in agriculture.
Eswatini has taken significant steps by revising its National Gender Policy to ensure that policies and programs related to the environment, natural resource management, disaster management, climate change, and energy management are gender-sensitive and responsive.
Mabuza stated, “Access to land is a fundamental right firmly linked to gender equality for women, young girls, and people living with disabilities.
Women are widely recognized as key enablers of economic independence and decision-making.
They play a vital role in rebalancing unequal power relations within households, communities, and institutions. Land ownership is instrumental in decision-making processes and facilitates access to credit.
Therefore, securing land plays an integral role in empowering women in agriculture.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Eswatini also highlighted the pivotal role played by women in ensuring food security for families.
The FAO stated, “Women are the agents of change at the forefront of agricultural production and restoration. Closing the gap in securing land rights is of particular importance, as these rights have multiple positive impacts. Agrifood systems are a significant source of employment for women globally and constitute a more crucial livelihood for women than for men in many countries.”
Furthermore, Minister Mabuza recently launched a Commercial Maize Revolving Fund, which aims to increase commercial maize production in the country over a three-year period.
This initiative is expected to contribute significantly to meeting the national maize demand of 140,000 metric tons per year, as stated by Mabuza.