The Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has warned against the rising cases of abuse that continue to threaten food security and agricultural productivity across Nigeria,  in an effort to protect smallholder women farmers and strengthen community support systems to combat gender-based violence. 

The organisation pledged at a Stakeholders’ Engagement and Community Dialogue on Orange the Farms, held in Abuja to mark the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. 

The event was organised by SWOFON FCT, in collaboration with ActionAid.

Speaking at the dialogue, Mrs Hajara Ramson, Programme Officer at SWOFON, said the engagement will  raise awareness of gender-based violence within agricultural spaces and push for gender equity in access to farm resources. 

She noted that women farmers remain the backbone of food production, yet many still suffer discrimination, harassment and unsafe working environments.

“Violence against them is not only a violation of their rights; it is a direct threat to food security, family well-being, and national development,” she said.

Ramson added that empowering women farmers is central to achieving gender equality, economic inclusion, and sustainable agricultural development.

According to her, the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism offers a critical opportunity to highlight the multiple forms of violence faced by smallholder women farmers, including limited access to land, workplace abuse, economic exploitation and social exclusion. 

She warned that these inequalities deepen poverty and weaken resilience in rural communities.

Mrs Comfort Sunday, Chairperson of SWOFON FCT, expressed concern over the rising number of women facing gender-based discrimination, especially regarding access to farmland and control over farm proceeds. 

She explained that such practices undermine women’s ability to farm effectively and earn stable incomes.

“Some husbands deny their wives access to farmland, yet give these same lands to other women outside their households,” she said. 

“Even when a woman’s harvest improves, some men chase them off the land or seize their earnings.”

Mr Ibrahim Shafa, Secretary of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) FCT Chapter, noted that many women endure violence silently and called for increased sensitisation of men on the impact of abusive behaviour.

“A woman will go to the farm, work tirelessly, return home exhausted, only for the husband to bully her. Men need more awareness about the dangers of GBV,” he said.

To improve reporting and community accountability, SWOFON Programme Coordinator, Mrs Ogechi Okebugwu, announced the creation of five-member monitoring groups across all Area Councils in the FCT. 

She stated that the initiative prioritises women farmers and children while engaging men and community leaders to challenge harmful norms.

“Men also need awareness. They have daughters, too. No parent wants their child to suffer abuse in marriage,” she added.

SWOFON stated that eliminating gender-based violence is essential for building safer farms, strengthening rural livelihoods, and securing Nigeria’s long-term food systems.

Source: NAN