UN Women and the Islamic Organization for Food Security Sign Landmark MoU to Advance Women’s Empowerment and Food Security in West and Central Africa
Date:
Algiers, 19 May 2025 — On the sidelines of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Annual Group Meeting, the UN Women Regional Office for West and Central Africa and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance strategic initiatives that strengthen women’s empowerment and participation in agrifood systems and food security across OIC Member States in West and Central Africa. This collaboration will promote gender equality and resilience building through the development of national and regional programmes focused on climate-smart agriculture and inclusive agrifood value chains, implemented in close partnership with governments of the region.
Through this collaboration, UN Women and IOFS are joining forces to foster greater recognition of women’s vital roles across the West and Central African region.
As part of the 2025 joint workplan, UN Women and IOFS will develop a multi-country flagship programme focused on women’s empowerment, food security, and climate action in the cassava value chain, beginning in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, with a vision for broader regional expansion.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Maxime Houinato, Regional Director of UN Women for West and Central Africa, emphasized:
"This strategic partnership will significantly strengthen the impact of our interventions for rural women and youth, who are central to the socio-economic transformation and food security of our region."
Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of IOFS, added:
"The inclusion of women and youth is essential for building resilient food systems. Through this collaboration with UN Women, we aim to catalyze sustainable change at scale."
This partnership is aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and reflects a shared commitment to unlocking the potential of women as drivers of sustainable and inclusive food systems in West and Central Africa.
Contacts presse : UN Women – West and Central Africa Regional Office : [ Click to reveal ] IOFS – Département des partenariats stratégiques : [ Click to reveal ]