How Africa Day 2024 Celebration at the United Nations Shifts Focus to Women in Agriculture – Insights from Djibril Diallo
The 2024 Africa Day celebrations, hosted by the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN) in collaboration with the UN Permanent Mission of Senegal and various UN agencies including UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNEP, and UNDP, will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday, May 24th, from 3 pm to 5 pm ET. This annual event serves as a platform to honor the achievements and diversity of the African continent, shedding light on its economic and cultural vibrancy.
This year’s theme, “Women of Africa and the Diaspora and Agricultural Development,” aims to spotlight the indispensable role of women in agriculture and raise awareness about the economic and social dynamics of African nations and the African Diaspora. Emphasis will be placed on the significance of education for both women and men to foster equality and mutual support.
Dr. Djibril Diallo, ARDN’s President and CEO, stressed the pivotal role of women in agriculture for the continent’s future prosperity. “A robust agricultural sector is essential for the advancement of African countries and their people in the 21st century,” he noted. “Empowering and recognizing the contributions of women in agriculture is crucial for realizing the sustainable development goals and Africa Agenda 2063.”
Despite their invaluable contributions, women in agriculture encounter various obstacles, including limited access to resources such as land, water, seeds, and financial services. Structural inequalities, including discriminatory laws and customs favoring male inheritance, further impede women’s participation and ownership in agriculture.
The objectives of the 2024 Africa Day celebrations encompass exploring the nexus between women’s rights and agricultural development, as part of the Campaign to Give a Red Card to All Forms of Discrimination and Violence Against Women and Girls. Additionally, the event seeks to showcase Africa’s potential and progress since 1963, inspire women leaders in agriculture, and promote the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 5 (Gender Equality), and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), aligned with Africa Agenda 2063.
ARDN Goodwill Ambassador Akeju Abass underscored the event’s significance, stating, “The Africa Day celebration is an opportunity to honor our heritage and chart a course for the future. By empowering women and addressing disparities in agriculture, we are laying the groundwork for a more equitable and prosperous future for all Africans and the diaspora.”
ARDN’s initiatives also involve mobilizing the African Diaspora to bolster connections with the continent, with a focus on accelerating economic and social progress. “Sports and culture serve as powerful platforms in our efforts to eradicate discrimination and violence against women and girls,” Dr. Diallo remarked.
