The crucial role that African women play in agriculture and the importance of education to develop more equitable partnerships between women, men and their allies were the major themes of Africa Day 2024. With about 700 attendees in person, and more than 1,000 online viewers, African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN) celebrated the role of African girls and women during its meeting entitled, “Women of Africa and the Diaspora and Agricultural Development” at the United Nations on May 24.
ARDN is New York-based international nonprofit that advocates for socio-economic development in Africa pursuant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015. These goals provide the development framework to eliminate poverty and inequality worldwide, and Africa Day at the U.N. headquarters in New York continued that mission.
“Africa Day 2024 promotes the contributions of women in agriculture despite facing numerous challenges, such as limited access to high yield crop seeds, fertilizers, and markets to sell their harvest,” said Dr. Djibril Diallo, ARDN’s president and CEO. “Recognizing and supporting the role and work of women in agriculture is critical for the achievement of the SDGs and Africa Agenda 2063.”
Africa Agenda 2063 is an African Union initiative to transform Africa into an integrated, peaceful, and prosperous global powerhouse by 2063.
“The time is now “to honor the girls and women of the diaspora and support their education to prepare them for their important role in Africa,” said Constance “Connie” Berry Newman, ARDN’s board chair, who served as the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and former assistant administrator for Africa at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Furthermore, Newman explained women play a key role throughout the continent of Africa, explaining they represent about 52% of the population and roughly 80% of the food producers on the continent.
Newman said, “barriers to women in Africa are not acceptable and must be removed,” to improve the agricultural and educational systems they need for their important roles today and in the future.
During the Women of Africa and Diaspora program, Diallo highlighted ARDN’s Red Card Campaign, which is symbolic of the red card penalty given for a serious infraction in soccer, raising awareness to stop discrimination and violence against women and girls in all forms across the continent. The campaign is a zero tolerance initiative against gender based violence globally. It supports the fifth United Nations Millenium Development Goals – to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. ARDN, the National Council of Negro Women, and it many partners encourage others to take the pledge by visiting the website redcardpledge.com.
Akeju Abass, ARDN’s goodwill ambassador shared his perspective on the significance of women on Africa Day 2024.
“The Africa Day celebration is not only a moment to reflect on our heritage but also to forge a path forward,” Abass said. “By empowering women and addressing disparities in agriculture, we are planting the seeds for a more prosperous and equitable future for all Africans and the diaspora.”
For more information, go to ardn.ngo. View the video that is available on United Nations Television website at webtv.un.org.