CGIAR and ICRISAT Drive Gender Equality in South-South Training Program

24 March 2025, Hyderabad: A two-week international training program on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Research for Development concluded on 21 March 2025 at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). ​ The initiative aimed to equip participants with tools to integrate gender-responsive approaches into research and policy.

The training was organized under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and supported by ICRISAT’s Dryland Academy.

Welcoming the 35 participants from 26 countries across Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Caribbean—74% of whom were women—Dr Victor Afari-Sefa, Research Program Director-Enabling Systems Transformation, ICRISAT, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs for their support. “The diversity in this room reflects the global commitment to gender equality. This training fosters cross-learning to advance inclusivity in research and innovation,” noted Dr Afari-Sefa.

Building Inclusive Research and Workspaces

The technical sessions covered key themes, including Gender and Diversity at the Workplace, Understanding Privilege and Power Dynamics, and Collecting Gender-Disaggregated Data. Sessions emphasized the importance of language as a tool for inclusivity and the role of evidence-based advocacy in shaping policies.

Participants engaged in field visits to Aurepalle Village to learn from self-help groups and women entrepreneurs at the Agri-Ghar facility. They also toured ICRISAT’s research facilities to witness gender-focused agricultural innovations in action.

Gender in the Workplace

Ms Lavanya Shrinagesh, Global Director – Gender Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Culture at One CGIAR, spoke on gender in the workplace.

“Inclusion is transformative. Embracing diverse perspectives leads to sustainable solutions. Foster an environment where everyone contributes to innovation through the diversity of experience,” said Ms Shrinagesh.

Gender in Research

Dr Nicoline de Haan, Interim Director of the Gender, Equality, and Inclusion (GEI) Accelerator at One CGIAR, emphasized the need to make gender research personal and emotive.

“Let’s make the invisible visible,” said Dr de Haan, highlighting the significant unpaid labor women contribute to agriculture. She stressed the importance of using data to engage policymakers, with a focus on fixing systems that grant women access to resources and opportunities. “The goal is to create an enabling environment,” she concluded.

Gender in Agriculture: A Catalyst for Change

ICRISAT’s Director General, Dr Himanshu Pathak, highlighted the vital role of women in agriculture.

“Women constitute 65% of the agricultural workforce, making agriculture a key sector for driving gender equality with lasting impact. Science and technology-driven agriculture can be a game changer for gender equality. Tomorrow’s agriculture will be youth-led, and technology will be key,” said Dr Pathak.

Dr Pathak encouraged participants to look beyond the training, emphasizing that ICRISAT views them as alumni and ambassadors, fostering a lasting relationship.

ICRISAT’s Director General Research and Innovation, Dr Stanford Blade, reinforced the institute’s commitment to inclusive research. “ICRISAT prioritizes gender-preferred traits in plant breeding and empowers women in water management at its watershed project sites, ensuring they have a voice in decision-making and influencing policy,” said Dr Blade.

Turning Commitment into Action

Dr Ranjitha Puskur, who leads the CGIAR GENDER Platform Evidence module, called for actionable change. “We must go beyond discussions to truly transform gender dynamics. Identify barriers, address them, and not just their symptoms,” she urged. Mr Kunal Sarkar, Director-Human Resources, ICRISAT, emphasized the role of inclusive research in driving meaningful change.

Dr Padmaja Ravula, Principal Scientist—Sociologist, Gender & Nutrition Research, ICRISAT, served as the Course Director, with invaluable support from Dr Kavitha Kasala and Dr Almamy Sylla, who were Course Co-Directors.

Also Read: FMC India’s Perspective on World Water Day: Addressing Water Challenges in Agriculture

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