African Women in Agribusiness Network (AWAB)
The African Women in Agribusiness Network (AWAB) aims to address challenges in food security and identify opportunities for women in the agricultural sector. The network advocates for initiatives that enhance womenâs competitiveness in local and global markets. AWAB also seeks to foster market linkages for women, connecting them to projects in the agricultural sector that can improve their access to resources, knowledge and training.
An ambitious, women-led solution addressing Africaâs food security challenges
The African Women in Agribusiness Network (AWAB) aims to propel womenâs agricultural activities beyond subsistence farming and into viable businesses that participate equitably in the agricultural value chain in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Food Basket Project offers an innovative, sustainable and home-grown solution to resolve a number of agribusiness challenges, particularly, one of Africaâs most pressing; quality of seed production.
The project uses an inclusive business model that is able to benefit different kinds of women with diverse backgrounds. It is to be rolled out in three phases; the pre-production phase which deals with inputs, particularly, the development of sustainable seed; the production phase which focuses on mechanisation as well as the post production phase, that addresses marketing and access to markets.
âThe Food Basket Project will put food on tables and money in womenâs pocketsâ
Grace Mijiga Mhango, AWAB Malawi
PRODUCEÂ 10,000Â METRIC TONNES OF LEGUME SEED FOR FARMERS HAVE EASY ACCESS TO QUALITY SEED
IDENTIFYÂ 250,000Â GRAIN PRODUCERS IDENTIFIED –Â 50,000Â PER COUNTRY
ENSURE THAT 5050 WOMEN-SMALL HOLDER FARMERS ARE MECHANISED â 1010 PER COUNTRY
DEVELOP 50 WOMEN OWNED AND SUSTAINABLE SEED COMPANIES â 10 PER COUNTRY
TRAIN AND MENTOR 5050 WOMEN IN AGRIBUSINESS VENTURES â 1010 PER COUNTRY
OWNERSHIP OFÂ 150Â HECTARES OF LAND BY EACH OF THE 5 AWAB COUNTRY CHAPTERS WITH FULLY DEVELOPED RESOURCE CENTRES
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting childrenâs rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Childrenâs Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescentsâ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trustâs goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a motherâs health and social economic conditions, the early years of a childâs life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.