Women’s participation and leadership in agriculture and food systems will take centre stage today as the World Food Forum (WFF) South Africa Youth Chapter hosts a webinar exploring the role of women in transforming food systems.
The virtual event, themed “Women Shaping the Future of Food Systems: From Participation to Leadership,” is being held under the banner “Her Voice. Her Power. Her Harvest. Her Future.”
The webinar, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11 A.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, will be hosted on Google Meet and brings attention to the growing importance of women’s voices in decisions affecting agriculture, food production, food security and sustainable development.
The initiative also coincides with the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, highlighting the contribution of women farmers to food systems and the need to strengthen their access to opportunities, resources and leadership positions.
The WFF South Africa Youth Chapter is using the platform to spotlight women not only as participants in food systems but also as emerging leaders capable of driving innovation and influencing policies and practices across the agricultural sector.
The discussions are expected to examine the challenges women face within food systems while highlighting opportunities for greater participation, representation and leadership.
Women play significant roles across the agricultural value chain, from farming and food processing to marketing, research, entrepreneurship and community development. However, barriers to access to land, finance, technology, markets, training and decision-making spaces can limit their ability to reach their full potential.
By bringing young people and women together around these issues, the webinar seeks to contribute to conversations on building more inclusive and resilient food systems.
The event’s central message, “Her Voice. Her Power. Her Harvest. Her Future.” underscores the importance of giving women greater agency in shaping the future of agriculture and food security.
As countries confront challenges including climate change, food insecurity, unemployment and changing agricultural markets, organisers say empowering women is increasingly important to building sustainable food systems that work for everyone.
The webinar is expected to provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing and inspiration, particularly for young women seeking to establish themselves as leaders in agriculture and the broader food sector.
