As the world marks International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, it is a moment to celebrate the achievements of women and reaffirm commitment to gender equality. This year's theme, "Accelerate Action," underscores the urgency of implementing swift and decisive measures to overcome systemic barriers and biases that hinder women’s progress. Now more than ever, there is a need to take bold steps to ensure women have equal opportunities in all fields, including higher education in agriculture.
Bridging the Gender Gap in Agricultural Education
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women across Africa form nearly half of the agricultural labor force, yet they are underrepresented in higher education agricultural programmes. This gap is influenced by gendered perceptions of agriculture, where the field is often viewed as a male-dominated sector. Additionally, many women pursuing higher education in agriculture struggle to balance academic work with household and caregiving responsibilities. These challenges contribute to the low enrolment and retention of women in agricultural sciences.
WACCI’s Commitment to Accelerating Gender Inclusion
Recognizing these challenges, the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana has over the years implemented targeted measures to increase women’s participation in agricultural sciences and create an enabling environment for their success.
Since the inception of WACCI’s PhD in Plant Breeding Programme, 36% of the total enrolment has been female, while the Centre’s MPhil in Seed Science and Technology Programme has seen a 34% female enrolment. These numbers are significant breakthroughs, considering the underrepresentation of women in agricultural sciences in Africa.
One of the ways WACCI fosters inclusion is through its PhD Plant Breeding Programme structure, which allows students to spend one year of academic study at the University of Ghana and the remaining three years conducting thesis research in their home country. This model provides female students with the flexibility to balance their academic ambitions with family and professional responsibilities, ensuring that motherhood and career aspirations do not become mutually exclusive.
WACCI has integrated SMART learning and teaching facilities, aligning with the University of Ghana’s Strategic Priority One of providing a Transformative Student Experience. These facilities allow pregnant students or those with caregiving responsibilities to join classroom sessions online, ensuring they remain engaged in their academic pursuits.
The Centre also assists students in securing accommodation within the University and an on-campus preschool, ensuring that pregnant students and mothers can pursue their academic goals.
WACCI’s commitment to gender inclusion extends beyond student enrolment to faculty representation and mentorship. Currently, 40% the Centre’s faculty members are female, creating a diverse and inclusive academic environment. This representation is crucial, as female faculty serve as mentors and role models and inspire the next generation of female agricultural scientists, breeders, and innovators.
To further strengthen its commitment to inclusivity, WACCI has appointed an Associate Director for Inclusion, Gender, and Diversity, who is leading efforts to foster an equitable and supportive environment for all students and faculty.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day 2025, WACCI stands as a testament to how institutions can take deliberate action to bridge gender gaps, create inclusive opportunities, and shape the future of agriculture with women at the forefront.
