Developing Leadership Capacity

All too often, African women in agricultural R&D are invisible— last in line for budget allocations and without influence when it comes to setting research priorities. Tackling Africa’s hunger requires tackling the dynamics that keep women outside of the leadership bodies where decisions are made. Investing in African women’s leadership skills sends a powerful message.

Leadership training helps AWARD Fellows to learn to:

• manage successful R&D teams;
• navigate organizational dynamics that tend to favor men;
• build alliances and take risks;
• promote gender-sensitive policies and practices; and
• influence their institutions on behalf of rural women and poor farmers.

AWARD Fellows are called upon to put their leadership skills into practice by serving as role models to the next generation of girls and boys, inspiring them to join the fight against hunger and poverty. During her second year, each fellow organizes a community event, usually at a school, career fair or farmers’ market. She talks about her work and her personal journey, but also stresses the importance of agricultural R&D and the key role played by Africa’s women.