By Ali Rabiu Ali Jigawa
The Smallholder Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria (SWOFON) has taken a significant step towards empowering smallholder women farmers in Jigawa State. Through a recent program, SWOFON strengthened the voices of women farmers in budget processes by engaging with budget committees and developing a charter of demand.
The program, supported by the International Budget Partnership (IBP), aimed to build the capacity of women farmers to advocate for their rights and interests. Hajara Ramson, a representative of SWOFON, emphasized the importance of understanding the budget process and highlighted key entry points for advocacy. She encouraged women farmers to demand allocations that benefit them and discussed various budgeting methods.
SWOFON recognizes the importance of collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in promoting the interests of women farmers. Ramson encouraged CSOs to work with SWOFON to amplify the voices of women farmers and ensure they access better support. Chika Orji, Communication Officer at SWOFON, identified priority issues for agricultural budgeting, including climate change, soil fertility, and access to inputs.
The Jigawa State SWOFON Coordinator, Hadiza Abdulsalam, reported that SWOFON has over 500 members in the state. The organization has been working to build the capacity of women farmers to advocate for their rights and interests. The training program emphasized the importance of applying knowledge gained to make a meaningful impact.
The participants at the program made 31 requests, including affordable inputs, climate change mitigation, and access to grants and markets. These demands reflect the pressing needs of women farmers in Jigawa State and highlight the importance of SWOFON’s advocacy efforts.
Nafisa Halliru, a CSO participant, commended SWOFON’s efforts and promised to continue collaborating with the organization. This partnership is crucial in promoting the interests of women farmers and ensuring they receive the support they need.
The Small Scale Women Farmers Organization in Nigeria (SWOFON) is a coalition of over 500,000 Women Farmers Associations and Groups across 36 states in Nigeria. Established in 2012 with the support of ActionAid Nigeria, SWOFON advocates for and supports women farmers, especially in rural areas. The organization’s work is critical in promoting the rights and interests of women farmers and ensuring they have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.
