Women are especially threatened by climate change and biodiversity destruction. Yet, their in-depth and intimate knowledge makes them uniquely engaged to protect and restore critical ecosystems, strengthen traditional food systems, conserve species, and transmit indigenous expertise to future generations. Women grow healthy food, use and preserve medicinal plants, select and exchange seeds, establish vital community seed banks, provide livelihoods and support the local economy. Also, they protect forests and ensure the restoration of watersheds.

However, intensive industrial agriculture, often supported by governments and financial institutions in developed countries, fosters tenure land, destroys local food systems, accelerates climate change, biodiversity loss, and violates human rights, especially women's rights. In addressing this transcendental issue, how should it be addressed collectively?

In this session, Jennifer Amejja, Edna Kaptoyo, and Rita Uwaka spoke about the importance of women's cultural, traditional knowledge and practice for food sovereignty, agroecology, and community forest management. 

The event was part of the ''Oxford Real Farming'' Conference in 2021.