Women farmers leading change and growing food sovereignty in West Africa

Women farmers across West Africa are leading change through the food they grow.

With Inter Pares support and collaboration with local partner organizations, women in Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso and Togo are strengthening sustainable agricultural practices, reviving local seed systems, expanding their livelihoods and building food sovereignty in their communities.

In the past four years, we’ve reached nearly 18,000 women in the region with hands-on training, technical support and access to essential equipment. These women are growing not only food, but confidence, leadership and economic resilience.

Supporting food sovereignty through agroecology

The work we do with farmers in West Africa is guided by agroecology, food sovereignty and feminism.

Agroecology is an approach to farming that works with nature to produce food sustainably. Rather than a set of standard ways of farming, agroecology encompasses elements of many alternatives to industrial agriculture, including organic and regenerative practices.

Because of this, agroecology aligns closely with knowledge many women farmers already hold: understanding local soils, saving seeds and cultivating crops that nourish their families and environment. Ultimately, our support helps women farmers choose the sustainable practices that work best for them, their ecosystems and their farms.

This work is especially important in regions where industrial agriculture and restrictive regulations limit the use of local seeds. Supporting women to produce, conserve and exchange their own seeds helps reduce dependence on commercial—often toxic—inputs and strengthens community resilience.

When communities control their seeds, they control their food systems—foundational for food sovereignty.

Challenging patriarchy: Gender equality through agriculture

Agroecology is a social movement. At its heart, a transition to agroecology would fundamentally redesign food and farming systems. So, it’s perhaps no wonder it goes hand-in-hand with gender justice: another revolutionary and necessary goal.

Through their farming, the women we work with are showing what’s possible when their knowledge and leadership are supported.

In many rural areas, patriarchal customs still limit women’s access to land and decision-making. Through our local counterparts, we support women-led networks, facilitate training and spark conversations with men, traditional leaders and local authorities, creating space for women’s voices and leadership to grow.

Many participants report greater recognition within their households and communities—and, in some cases, a more equal sharing of responsibilities at home.

Alongside our counterparts, we continue to advocate for women’s long-term land and inheritance rights, ensuring that this momentum can continue.

Read more (in French only) in Le Devoir:

• Favoriser l’égalité des genres par l’agroécologie
• En Afrique de l’Ouest, l’égalité est dans le pré

Inter Pares would like to acknowledge Global Affairs Canada for their financial support for this project.