Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS)

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About the Conference

The representation of women and gender parity in all spheres is critical for overall growth and success for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Unless there is equal representation, we will not be able to achieve our desired goals. Women, who constitute nearly 50 per cent of the population and are engaged in all fields, must have equal representation in leadership and decision making.

Women in agriculture are of special importance. To meet our agricultural growth targets, the full participation of women is essential. Women are active in every aspect of agricultural development, from research to industry and farming, contributing to increased productivity and production. However, their numbers are often small, especially in decision-making roles, leading to a clear absence of gender balance.

The declaration of 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers by the United Nations serves as a global milestone that can spark policy reforms, public awareness campaigns, and international collaboration, while also providing an opportunity to mobilize resources, forge partnerships, and create a shared agenda for advancing women's role in agriculture.

Venue: Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, ICAR Convention Centre, National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, India

Date: 12-14 March, 2026

Expected Participants: Around 500 participants from India and abroad, including researchers, policymakers, leaders, representative of CGIAR centres, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Farmers Organizations (FOs), successful women farmers, industry, start-ups, entrepreneurs and students.

Researchers Around 500 participants Policymakers Women Leaders CGIAR Representatives NGOs Farmers Organizations Women Farmers Industry Start-ups Entrepreneurs Students

Conference Updates

January 10, 2026

Pre-Conference Events

January 09, 2026

GCWAS- 2026 Second Circular

November 20, 2025

GCWAS- 2026 First Circular

October 14, 2025

Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS- 2026), Driving Progress, Attaining New Heights (Brochure)

Conference Objectives

To bring together stakeholders – women leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs, farmers, and students to share experiences and case studies.
To showcase inspiring success stories of women's empowerment and leadership in agriculture to provide replicable and scalable models.
To identify and promote national and global best practices for nurturing women's leadership and fostering mentorship and networking for the next generation of women leaders.
To discuss measures for strengthening the policy framework and ecosystem for mainstreaming gender and empowering women technologically and economically.
To identify emerging and disruptive technologies for gender-transformative change.

Conference Themes

Interface with Global Women Trailblazers

Highlighting leadership lessons from global women leaders through candid conversations with renowned international women leaders who have achieved significant success.

Driving Progress, Attaining New Heights

Featuring successful case studies by women leaders, showcasing inspiring journeys of accomplished women scientists, farmers, and industry professionals who broke barriers in the agri-food sector.

Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

Exploring strategies and best practices for integrating gender-sensitive approaches in agri-food systems and promoting gender equity in agricultural policies and institutions to create a more equitable system for all.

Emerging and Disruptive Technologies for Gender-Transformative Change

Highlighting the scope for mainstreaming gender-sensitive agricultural technologies, women-friendly tools for drudgery reduction, and digital inclusion (ICT, AI, IoT, and climate-smart technologies tailored to women farmers).

Building Future Leadership in the AgriFood Sector

Focusing on nurturing the next generation of leaders through building mentorship platforms, creating opportunities for young women in agriculture, and equipping them with skills and knowledge needed to become future leaders.

Empowering Women through Economic Inclusion

Exploring entrepreneurship, employment, and financial models for market linkages, cooperatives, e-commerce and microfinance innovations that strengthen women's position in the agri-food value chain.

Gender Dynamics in Policy and Market Access

Analyzing how gender-responsive policies can improve food security and ensure that women farmers and entrepreneurs have equal access to markets, resources, and decision-making processes.

Women Farmers' Forum: From Field Challenges to Global Influence

Bridging farm challenges with policy frameworks to amplify economic and social influence by sharing best practices, ground realities, and actionable strategies for women farmers to secure fair market access, technology, and policy support.

Youth Forum – Nurturing Next Generation of Agri-Food Leaders

Empowering young professionals and students with skills and vision through networking, skill development, collaboration, and connecting aspiring minds to build future leadership.

Way Forward and Valedictory Session

Summing up and outlining key recommendations for the future by summarizing key takeaways from the conference and presenting actionable recommendations.

Expected Outcomes

Comprehensive report on success stories across research, industry, farming, and education.
Roadmap to strengthen women's participation and leadership, empower women for economic inclusion, and mainstream gender in policy, market access, and new technology development.
Identification and dissemination of global and national best practices for women's inclusive participation and empowerment.
Compendium of new technologies that have technologically and financially empowered women in the agri-food sector.
Strategy and roadmap for institutionalizing gender initiatives across global, regional, and national programs.

Event Format

The conference will feature a dynamic mix of interactive sessions designed to maximize engagement, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities:

Plenary Talks - Keynote addresses by global leaders in agriculture and gender equality
Technical Presentations - Research findings and innovative approaches from experts worldwide
Panel Discussions - Multi-stakeholder dialogues on critical issues and solutions
Interface with Global Performers - Conversations with successful women leaders in agriculture
Women Farmers Forum - Platform for women farmers to share experiences, discuss challenges, and influence agricultural policies by bridging farm-level realities with policy frameworks
Youth Forum - Dedicated space for young professionals and students to voice their perspectives
Posters - Visual presentations of research, projects, and success stories
Exhibition - Showcasing technologies, innovations, and women-led enterprises