Kenya: 'Women Are Not Afraid of Change' - Why Africa's Food Security Depends on Who Bears the Risk

What the report says

AllAfrica reports that Kenya’s looming climate risks are renewing debate over how Africa can protect smallholder farmers, especially women, from the next drought or flood. The article, published on 14 September 2026, centers on comments from Dr. Eileen Nchanji of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, who argues that women are not resistant to change but face higher losses when new farming investments fail.

The piece says women make up a large share of sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural workforce and carry much of the work of planting, harvesting, seed selection, processing and household nutrition. It notes that many women still have weaker access than men to land, credit, technology, market access and climate information, while also managing unpaid childcare and domestic labor. According to the report, these constraints can limit their ability to recover from failed harvests or adopt new practices.

The article places this discussion in the context of forecasts for a potentially strong El Niño, with Kenyan authorities preparing for heavy rainfall and possible displacement. It also cites broader warnings about flooding and agricultural losses across East Africa. Against that backdrop, Nchanji recommends practical adaptation measures such as terraces, rainwater-harvesting features, certified drought- and flood-tolerant seeds, and closer use of weather and extension services.

The report says a gender-responsive approach would also require lenders and government programs to accept alternatives to land titles, involve women in program design, and strengthen legal protection for women’s property rights. Its broader point is that food security will depend not just on better seeds or technologies, but on who can safely take the risks needed to use them.