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With sharp increases in food prices, food shortages, high dependency on imports for staple food – Sri Lanka is currently facing a major food crisis. Sri Lanka has been ranked in the top five of poorest countries in terms of food affordability (Institute of Development Studies, 2021).

While the food prices are increasing farmers are struggling to get a proper price for their produce.

Our planet cannot sustain the way our food is currently produced, Sri Lanka marks no exception. High dependency of chemical inputs have made us extremely vulnerable for health, environmental and economic crises.

The need for changes in policy and practice to transform the broken food system in Sri Lanka has never been this apparent. We need a fundamental shift in our food system. Can women lead it ?

Women play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector although their contribution is neither recognized nor reflected in national policy frameworks. The contribution made by women in food production is critical.

Despite numerous barriers imposed at multiple levels, from their own communities to multinational companies, women farmers have continued to show resilience in fortifying local food systems. The potential of women farmers to lead climate solutions, defy gender discriminatory barriers and continue to feed the world is vastly undermined by governments and development agencies.

Ensuring equal access to agricultural productive resources for women farmers and rural women will enable them to meaningfully engage and influence discourses of policy and practice which affects them and food systems. 

As a collective we aim to build a wide discourse and advocate for,

–          The increase women’s contribution to local food production and strengthen food security.

–          Supporting women farmers move up the value chain from being primary producers to entrepreneurs.

–          Acknowledge women farmers’ contribution to the local economy and portray them as leaders and development partners.

–          Provide sustainable non-exploitative solutions to address rural indebtedness of women farmers Tap into the potential of women farmers to strengthen community resilience and lead climate solutions.

The Law and Society Trust together with Savisthri Women’s Movement have organized a public discussion to be held on 17.10.21 in commemoration of World Food Day and World Rural Women’s Day.

The event aims to spark public dialogues on the following:

1. Women Farmers, food sovereignty and agroecology
2. Women in the rural economy
3. 3. Launching of public campaign, Harvests of Equality: Women farmers paving the way towards food sovereignty

The aforementioned discussions will have representation of women farmer leaders, academia and community and civil society leaders.

The virtual public dialogue will commence at 9.00 am- 1.30 pm on 17.10.21 and will be live streamed on the Law and Society Trust Facebook page.