Damongo, In commemoration of International Women’s Day, the Generating Revenue and Opportunities for Women to Improve Nutrition in Ghana (GROWING) project took center stage, advocating for gender inclusion and empowerment in agriculture and nutrition.
Led by Project Manager Patricia Gyan Bassani, the initiative aligns with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering gender equality and sustainable development.
Since its inception in 2022, the GROWING project has been a beacon of change, employing an integrated climate-smart agriculture-nutrition-marketing approach to empower women and transform societal norms.
Patricia Bassani emphasized the project’s commitment to promoting gender equality at the household level, where decisions regarding farming practices and nutrition profoundly impact women’s lives.
“Our efforts extend beyond promoting crops; we are equipping women with the knowledge and resources to prepare balanced meals for their families,” explained Bassani.
“By promoting climate-smart agriculture and providing essential planting materials, such as groundnuts in the Savannah region, we are not only enhancing food security but also empowering women with sustainable livelihoods.”
Aligned with SDG 5 (Gender Equality), the project seeks to address key gender inequities by promoting women’s participation in decision-making processes at both the community and household levels.
Additionally, the celebration was climax with cooking competition between women and men which serve to celebrate women’s culinary skills while highlighting the importance of nutrition education.
“We firmly believe that women play a vital role in societal development and economic progress,” stated Bassani.
By advocating for women’s inclusion in decision-making and providing access to land for farming, we are contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
The GROWING project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, operates through a consortium comprising leading organizations such as the International Potato Center and CARE International. Collaborating with government institutions like the Department of Agriculture and the Ghana Health Services, as well as local NGOs such as Shung, Ebanet, and Riase, the project aims to reach 180 communities across Ghana.
The International Women’s Day celebration drew participation from women’s groups, gender advocates, government officials, and community members, underscoring the collective commitment to advancing gender equality. With a focus on empowering women and promoting financial and nutritional security for all, the GROWING project exemplifies the transformative potential of collaborative efforts aligned with the SDGs.
As the program concluded, participants echoed the theme of “Inspiring Inclusion,” calling for continued support from stakeholders, traditional leaders, and policymakers to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
In a world striving for progress and equality, initiatives like the GROWING project serve as catalysts for change, bridging the gap between aspiration and action in pursuit of a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Edwin Gogu
