{"id":2038,"date":"2025-10-19T15:03:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T09:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onlinepeoplesnews.com\/?p=2038"},"modified":"2025-10-19T15:03:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T09:18:50","slug":"rural-women-food-sovereignty-and-peace-three-day-agroecology-workshop-strengthens-womens-leadership-in-nepal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onlinepeoplesnews.com\/?p=2038","title":{"rendered":"Rural Women, Food Sovereignty, and Peace: Three-Day Agroecology Workshop Strengthens Women\u2019s Leadership in Nepal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mandan Deupur, Kavre | October 15\u201317, 2025,\u00a0 <\/em>Marking the International Day of Rural Women<\/em>, World Food Day<\/em>, and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty<\/em>, the National Coordinating Body of the World March of Women (WMW) Nepal, in association with Sristi Sewa Samaj (SSS) and the All Nepal Peasants\u2019 Federation (ANPFa)-member of La Via Campesina in Nepal, organized a three-day Agroecological Workshop for Women Peasants in Kuntaveshi, Mandan Municipality-7, Kavre District. The event brought together more than 200 rural women farmers and leaders representing Nepal\u2019s seven provinces, creating a platform for learning, dialogue, and solidarity around the themes of agroecology, food sovereignty, gender justice, and peace. There were 100 participants for the training and more than 200 farmers joined the March.<\/p>\n

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Day 1 \u2013 October 15: Rural Women\u2019s Leadership for Agroecology<\/strong><\/p>\n

The inaugural day, coinciding with the International Day of Rural Women<\/em>, opened with celebration. The gathering honored the vital role of rural women in food production, ecological care, and social harmony.<\/p>\n

During the orientation and introduction, participants underscored that agroecology is not only a scientific approach to sustainable farming but also a political movement for justice and sovereignty. They emphasized that empowering women in agriculture is essential for transforming food systems and securing peace at the community level.<\/p>\n

Participants shared stories of resilience and cooperation, reflecting the spirit of the World March of Women\u2019s global call \u2014 \u201cWe resist wars and capitalism; we defend people\u2019s sovereignty and Buen Vivir.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Day 2 \u2013 October 16: Rally for Food Sovereignty and Women\u2019s Empowerment<\/strong><\/p>\n

The second day coincided with World Food Day<\/em>. Hundreds of women, peasants, and youth activists marched through Kuntaveshi carrying banners demanding peace, land rights, and a hunger-free world. The rally highlighted the interconnection between food sovereignty and peace \u2014 asserting that the right to food and land is the foundation of social justice and sustainable development<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The rally was addressed by Veteran peasant leaders including Shanta Manavi (former Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development and former ICC member of LVC), Srinath Baral (Vice Chair of ANPFa) and Tok Bahadur Waiba (Mayor of Mandandeupur and former ANPFa Chair, Kavre).\u00a0 Similarly other leaders of the peasant movement joined the inauguration. Pramesh Pokharel, Krishna Bahadur BC, Prema Adhikari, Dayalaxmi Shrestha, and Kalyani Khadka (Provincial Assembly Member, Karnali Province) were present in the rally.<\/p>\n

Following the rally, the workshop continued with five thematic sessions led by agroecology practitioners and researchers including Pramesh Pokharel, Prayash Adhikari, Nima Yanchen Holmo, Dipesh Nepal, and Gita Bhujel. Topics included agroecological principles and farming practices, soil and water conservation, pest management, seed and food sovereignty, and women\u2019s roles in agriculture.<\/p>\n

Women farmers actively participated in discussions, group work, and visual mapping exercises that illustrated their vision of a just and ecological food system rooted in self-reliance and community solidarity. In the evening, a young farmer shared his personal journey from chemical-based agriculture to ecological farming, inspiring others to follow paths of sustainability and peace with nature.<\/p>\n

Day 3 \u2013 October 17: Women, Agroecology, and Peacebuilding<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the final day \u2014 marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty<\/em> \u2014 sessions centered on feminist perspectives of agroecology and the quest for peace and dignity. Participants explored how agroecology combines traditional knowledge, ecological science, and collective struggle to challenge the roots of poverty, patriarchy, and environmental degradation.<\/p>\n

A highlight was a testimonial by a woman farmer who established a successful permaculture farm, demonstrating that ecological entrepreneurship led by women can ensure both livelihood security and environmental balance. Other presentations showcased women-led cooperatives and agribusinesses as models of solidarity-based economy.<\/p>\n

Facilitators linked the local struggles of Nepali peasant women with the global agrarian justice movements of La Via Campesina<\/em> and the World March of Women<\/em>, emphasizing that building peace requires food sovereignty, equality, and collective resistance to neoliberal exploitation and war economies.<\/p>\n