INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ACCELERATING EQUALITY IN FOOD, LAND AND WATER SYSTEMS
Driving solutions through evidence and learning
7 to 9 October 2025
Century City Conference Centre
Cape Town, South Africa
04 DAYS 10 HOURS 40 MIN
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ACCELERATING EQUALITY IN FOOD, LAND AND WATER SYSTEMS
Driving solutions through evidence and learning
7 to 9 October 2025
Century City Conference Centre
Cape Town, South Africa
04 DAYS 10 HOURS 40 MIN
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ACCELERATING EQUALITY IN FOOD, LAND AND WATER SYSTEMS
Driving solutions through evidence and learning
7 to 9 October 2025
Century City Conference Centre
Cape Town, South Africa
04 DAYS 10 HOURS 40 MIN
ABOUT THE 2025 GENDER CONFERENCE
Join us in Cape Town for the 2025 Gender Conference, a pivotal gathering at the intersection of gender equality and sustainable development. This year’s theme, “Accelerating Equality in Food, Land, and Water Systems,” highlights the urgent need to address gender disparities as we approach the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Bringing together global researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society, the conference aims to uncover innovative solutions, share evidence-based practices, and foster collaboration to drive meaningful change. Through insightful discussions and interactive sessions, we’ll tackle the structural barriers that hinder progress, explore strategies to empower women and youth, and chart a course toward inclusive, climate-resilient food systems.
Be part of this transformative event as we unite to advance gender equality, social inclusion, and sustainable development worldwide.
WHY ATTEND
COLLABORATION
Unique opportunity to engage with global experts and leaders.
INNOVATION
Explore innovative solutions to tackle gender inequalities.
IMPACT
Identify and discuss effective solutions to advance equality in food, land, and water systems.
REGISTRATION
Fees
US$ 150
APPROX. ZAR 2,700
EUR 130
GBP 112
REGISTRATION
Fees
US$ 150
APPROX. ZAR 2,700
EUR 130
GBP 112
REGISTRATION
Fees
US$ 150
APPROX. ZAR 2,700
EUR 130
GBP 112
CONFERENCE AiMS
The 2025 Gender Conference aims to accelerate gender equality and social inclusion in food, land, and water systems by identifying evidence-based solutions, fostering collaboration among global stakeholders, and driving policy and innovation that empower women, youth, and socially excluded groups for a more sustainable and resilient future.
Identify evidence-based solutions to reduce gender gaps, address their root causes, and empower youth in Food, Land, and Water Systems
Promote the development and implementation of gender-responsive and socially inclusive policies within Food, Land, and Water Systems
CONFERENCE THEMES
THEME 1
Shifting gender and social norms to enhance access, participation, and resilience for women, youth, and socially excluded groups in agri-food systems
Shifting gender and social norms is key to improving women’s access, participation, and resilience in agri-food systems, while also addressing inequalities faced by youth, and socially excluded groups. These norms shape behaviours and opportunities, often reinforcing barriers to equality. Tackling restrictive norms is essential for creating inclusive Food, Land, and Water Systems (FLWS).
THEME 2
Advancing women's empowerment in agri-food systems through scalable solutions
Women’s empowerment is both a goal and a driver of just transformation in Food, Land, and Water Systems (FLWS). Empowering women is key to unlocking their potential and advancing gender equality. Analysis of how empowerment links to technology adoption, nutrition, food security, productivity, and other outcomes, while identifying and scaling effective solutions to enhance women’s roles in FLWS is essential.
THEME 3
Effective strategies and innovations for enhancing resilience and livelihoods in Food, Land and Water Systems
Structural barriers limit the resilience of resource-poor women, youth, and socially excluded groups and their ability to adapt to climate risks and other challenges. Enhancing access to resources, paired with targeted social protection measures, is essential for building resilience and fostering inclusion in FLWS. Developing tools that better capture local concepts of women’s empowerment—including relational, psychological, and resilience dimensions—is also critical to addressing these disparities effectively.
THEME 4
Strategies to strengthen the leadership, voice, and influence of women, youth, Indigenous People, and socially excluded groups in Food, Land, and Water Systems
Amplifying the leadership of women, youth and socially excluded groups is crucial for developing equitable solutions to challenges in FLWS. Research on enhancing their voice and influence in FLWS governance is essential to ensure policies address their needs, distribute benefits equitably, and transform power dynamics.
THEME 5
Making agri-food systems more inclusive and empowering for youth
Feeding future generations depends on engaging youth to build a vibrant food system, yet many young people are leaving agriculture for other opportunities, leaving behind an aging workforce. Political and environmental crises disproportionately affect youth, highlighting the need for better opportunities to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and build resilience. However, investments targeting youth remain limited and lack strategic, evidence-based approaches to tackle their diverse challenges and aspirations effectively.
THEME 1
Shifting gender and social norms to enhance access, participation, and resilience for women, youth, and socially excluded groups in agri-food systems
Shifting gender and social norms is key to improving women’s access, participation, and resilience in agri-food systems, while also addressing inequalities faced by youth, and socially excluded groups. These norms shape behaviours and opportunities, often reinforcing barriers to equality. Tackling restrictive norms is essential for creating inclusive Food, Land, and Water Systems (FLWS).
THEME 2
Advancing women's empowerment in agri-food systems through scalable solutions
Women’s empowerment is both a goal and a driver of just transformation in Food, Land, and Water Systems (FLWS). Empowering women is key to unlocking their potential and advancing gender equality. Analysis of how empowerment links to technology adoption, nutrition, food security, productivity, and other outcomes, while identifying and scaling effective solutions to enhance women’s roles in FLWS is essential.
THEME 3
Effective strategies and innovations for enhancing resilience and livelihoods in Food, Land and Water Systems
Structural barriers limit the resilience of resource-poor women, youth, and socially excluded groups and their ability to adapt to climate risks and other challenges. Enhancing access to resources, paired with targeted social protection measures, is essential for building resilience and fostering inclusion in FLWS. Developing tools that better capture local concepts of women’s empowerment—including relational, psychological, and resilience dimensions—is also critical to addressing these disparities effectively.
THEME 4
Strategies to strengthen the leadership, voice, and influence of women, youth, Indigenous People, and socially excluded groups in Food, Land, and Water Systems
Amplifying the leadership of women, youth and socially excluded groups is crucial for developing equitable solutions to challenges in FLWS. Research on enhancing their voice and influence in FLWS governance is essential to ensure policies address their needs, distribute benefits equitably, and transform power dynamics.
THEME 5
Making agri-food systems more inclusive and empowering for youth
Feeding future generations depends on engaging youth to build a vibrant food system, yet many young people are leaving agriculture for other opportunities, leaving behind an aging workforce. Political and environmental crises disproportionately affect youth, highlighting the need for better opportunities to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and build resilience. However, investments targeting youth remain limited and lack strategic, evidence-based approaches to tackle their diverse challenges and aspirations effectively.
THEME 1
Shifting gender and social norms to enhance access, participation, and resilience for women, youth, and socially excluded groups in agri-food systems
Shifting gender and social norms is key to improving women’s access, participation, and resilience in agri-food systems, while also addressing inequalities faced by youth, and socially excluded groups. These norms shape behaviours and opportunities, often reinforcing barriers to equality. Tackling restrictive norms is essential for creating inclusive Food, Land, and Water Systems (FLWS).
THEME 2
Advancing women's empowerment in agri-food systems through scalable solutions
Women’s empowerment is both a goal and a driver of just transformation in Food, Land, and Water Systems (FLWS). Empowering women is key to unlocking their potential and advancing gender equality. Analysis of how empowerment links to technology adoption, nutrition, food security, productivity, and other outcomes, while identifying and scaling effective solutions to enhance women’s roles in FLWS is essential.
THEME 3
Effective strategies and innovations for enhancing resilience and livelihoods in Food, Land and Water Systems
Structural barriers limit the resilience of resource-poor women, youth, and socially excluded groups and their ability to adapt to climate risks and other challenges. Enhancing access to resources, paired with targeted social protection measures, is essential for building resilience and fostering inclusion in FLWS. Developing tools that better capture local concepts of women’s empowerment—including relational, psychological, and resilience dimensions—is also critical to addressing these disparities effectively.
THEME 4
Strategies to strengthen the leadership, voice, and influence of women, youth, Indigenous People, and socially excluded groups in Food, Land, and Water Systems
Amplifying the leadership of women, youth and socially excluded groups is crucial for developing equitable solutions to challenges in FLWS. Research on enhancing their voice and influence in FLWS governance is essential to ensure policies address their needs, distribute benefits equitably, and transform power dynamics.
THEME 5
Making agri-food systems more inclusive and empowering for youth
Feeding future generations depends on engaging youth to build a vibrant food system, yet many young people are leaving agriculture for other opportunities, leaving behind an aging workforce. Political and environmental crises disproportionately affect youth, highlighting the need for better opportunities to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and build resilience. However, investments targeting youth remain limited and lack strategic, evidence-based approaches to tackle their diverse challenges and aspirations effectively.
THEME 1
Shifting gender and social norms to enhance access, participation, and resilience for women, youth, and socially excluded groups in agri-food systems
Shifting gender and social norms is key to improving women’s access, participation, and resilience in agri-food systems, while also addressing inequalities faced by youth, and socially excluded groups. These norms shape behaviours and opportunities, often reinforcing barriers to equality. Tackling restrictive norms is essential for creating inclusive Food, Land, and Water Systems (FLWS).
THEME 2
Advancing women's empowerment in agri-food systems through scalable solutions
Women’s empowerment is both a goal and a driver of just transformation in Food, Land, and Water Systems (FLWS). Empowering women is key to unlocking their potential and advancing gender equality. Analysis of how empowerment links to technology adoption, nutrition, food security, productivity, and other outcomes, while identifying and scaling effective solutions to enhance women’s roles in FLWS is essential.
THEME 3
Effective strategies and innovations for enhancing resilience and livelihoods in Food, Land and Water Systems
Structural barriers limit the resilience of resource-poor women, youth, and socially excluded groups and their ability to adapt to climate risks and other challenges. Enhancing access to resources, paired with targeted social protection measures, is essential for building resilience and fostering inclusion in FLWS. Developing tools that better capture local concepts of women’s empowerment—including relational, psychological, and resilience dimensions—is also critical to addressing these disparities effectively.
THEME 4
Strategies to strengthen the leadership, voice, and influence of women, youth, Indigenous People, and socially excluded groups in Food, Land, and Water Systems
Amplifying the leadership of women, youth and socially excluded groups is crucial for developing equitable solutions to challenges in FLWS. Research on enhancing their voice and influence in FLWS governance is essential to ensure policies address their needs, distribute benefits equitably, and transform power dynamics.
THEME 5
Making agri-food systems more inclusive and empowering for youth
Feeding future generations depends on engaging youth to build a vibrant food system, yet many young people are leaving agriculture for other opportunities, leaving behind an aging workforce. Political and environmental crises disproportionately affect youth, highlighting the need for better opportunities to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and build resilience. However, investments targeting youth remain limited and lack strategic, evidence-based approaches to tackle their diverse challenges and aspirations effectively.
REGISTRATION
Fees
US$ 150
APPROX. ZAR 2,700
EUR 130
GBP 112
REGISTRATION
Fees
US$ 150
APPROX. ZAR 2,700
EUR 130
GBP 112
REGISTRATION
Fees
US$ 150
APPROX. ZAR 2,700
EUR 130
GBP 112
LOCATION
LOCATION
LOCATION
CENTURY CITY CONFERENCE CENTRE
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
CENTURY CITY CONFERENCE CENTRE
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
AUDIENCE
AUDIENCE
AUDIENCE
Researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, and CIVIL SOCIETY.
Researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, and CIVIL SOCIETY.
STAY UPDATED
Sep 26, 2025
3 mins
Beyond inclusion: How women and youth can future-proof agriculture
As the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) draws near, with less than five years remaining, progress on gender equality (SDG 5) and youth empowerment is still falling short. In food systems, this gap is not just a moral issue but a structural challenge that undermines global food security and climate resilience. The pressing question is clear: how do we unlock the full potential of women and youth to build inclusive, climate-resilient food systems? This article was originally published by IOL
READ MORE
Sep 22, 2025
5 mins
Cape Town to host global summit on gender equality in agri-food and water systems
Join over 500 scientists, researchers, and changemakers uniting to drive real solutions for gender equality in food, land and water systems. A call to co-create solutions that accelerate gender equality in agri-food and water systems. Register before 26 September 2025.
READ MORE
Sep 18, 2025
3 mins
Exploring conference Theme 5: More inclusive and empowering agri-food systems for youth
Theme 5 of the upcoming international conference 'Accelerating Equality in food, land and water systems; Driving solutions through learning and impact' will focus on making agri-food systems more inclusive and empowering for youth. A question-and-answer with Theme 5 leaders Michael Euler and Kristin Davis.
READ MORE
Sep 17, 2025
2 mins
Exploring conference Theme 2: Advancing women’s empowerment in agri-food systems through scalable solutions
Theme 2 of the upcoming international conference 'Accelerating Equality in food, land and water systems; Driving solutions through learning and impact' will focus on advancing women's empowerment in agrifood systems through scalable solutions. A question-and-answer with Theme 2 leader and senior scientist in gender and impact assessment, Diana Lopez Avila.
READ MORE
Sep 26, 2025
3 mins
Beyond inclusion: How women and youth can future-proof agriculture
As the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) draws near, with less than five years remaining, progress on gender equality (SDG 5) and youth empowerment is still falling short. In food systems, this gap is not just a moral issue but a structural challenge that undermines global food security and climate resilience. The pressing question is clear: how do we unlock the full potential of women and youth to build inclusive, climate-resilient food systems? This article was originally published by IOL
READ MORE
Sep 22, 2025
5 mins
Cape Town to host global summit on gender equality in agri-food and water systems
Join over 500 scientists, researchers, and changemakers uniting to drive real solutions for gender equality in food, land and water systems. A call to co-create solutions that accelerate gender equality in agri-food and water systems. Register before 26 September 2025.
READ MORE
OUR PARTNERS
OUR PARTNERS
OUR PARTNERS
CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion puts equality and inclusion at the forefront of global agricultural research for development, both within and beyond CGIAR.
CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion puts equality and inclusion at the forefront of global agricultural research for development, both within and beyond CGIAR.
CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion puts equality and inclusion at the forefront of global agricultural research for development, both within and beyond CGIAR.