Thursday, 5th March, 2026 – The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer, highlighting the often unseen but essential role women play in feeding their communities. As International Women’s Day approaches, World Vision Ireland is drawing attention to the women who keep food systems running but still lack the recognition, resources and decision‑making power they deserve.

In rural communities in low‑income countries, women carry out most day‑to‑day agricultural work, yet continue to face barriers to land access, finance, tools, or training. Through Irish Aid, Ireland plays a critical role in addressing this gap, supporting practical, evidence‑based programmes that strengthen families, improve food security and boost climate resilience.  

A clear example of Ireland’s impact: the NOURISH project

The NOURISH (Nature‑based Opportunities Underpinning Resilient and Sustainable Households) programme, funded by Irish Aid, is one of the strongest examples of this support. Implemented across Tanzania, Uganda, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Mauritania, NOURISH equips women farmers with: 

• climate‑smart agricultural training
•  access to improved seeds and diverse crops
• financial‑literacy support
• membership in village savings and loans groups
• opportunities to increase household income and influence community decisions

Together, these interventions support thousands of women to grow more food, build resilience to climate shocks and strengthen their families’ futures. 

For Juliana Peter Maganga, a mother of six in Tanzania, NOURISH came at a critical moment. After her husband left the family a decade ago, she struggled to feed her children and relied on small, low‑yield plots and occasional market sales. Joining a NOURISH training session proved transformative. 

“We learned how to grow vegetables and millet, and we were given seeds for those crops,” Juliana says. “It changed everything.” 
With new skills and access to improved seeds, she diversified her farm, grew surplus vegetables to sell locally, and joined the NOURISH‑supported Mapambano savings group. Regular small savings allowed her to invest in higher‑value crops, including onions, and later expand into pig rearing. 

Today, she is able to feed her family consistently, cover school fees and plan for the future. Her determination is inspiring other women in her community to follow similar paths. 

Women farmers leading community resilience

Maurice Sadlier, Programmes and Policy Director at World Vision Ireland, said:

“Women like Juliana are central to community resilience. The UN’s decision to name 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer is a powerful recognition of what we see every day through our programmes. Irish Aid’s support ensures that women farmers have the training, tools and opportunity they deserve.”

“When women farmers thrive, whole communities grow stronger. Their leadership is essential to building sustainable, climate‑resilient food systems.”

Investing in women strengthens entire communities

As climate pressures and economic challenges threaten global food security, supporting women farmers remains one of the most effective ways to protect families and stabilise local food systems. NOURISH demonstrates how targeted, practical interventions can deliver immediate and lasting change. 

This International Women’s Day, World Vision Ireland is calling for continued investment in women‑centred agricultural programmes that strengthen communities from the ground up. 

ENDS

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

Media interviews are available with World Vision Ireland representatives. To arrange an interview, please contact Róisín Drayne at roisin.drayne@worldvision.ie. 

World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.  World Vision carries out lifesaving humanitarian efforts with investments from numerous partners, including institutional donors, faith-based organisations, corporations and governments. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.ie