Outcome SDN_D_2.1

Women secure access to productive resources and engage in sustainable resources creation activities in rural, peri-urban, conflict, post-conflict and humanitarian settings.

Women's productive capacities and productivity are enhanced: The project that targeted women in Ashatt community in Red Sea with provision of goat has proven to be successfull in securing women' access to productive resources and in increasing milk production depite the short period of the provison of the goat (goats were distributed to women in October 2022). Most of the women who have been targetd by the project are heading households. The selected goats are highly productive and adaptive to the environment of the Red Sea, The average daily milk production stands at ten-pound per goat and is of a good quality, compared to the goats that are previously owned by households and are producing daily milk on average at two-pound per goat, which in most cases barely cover the internal family need. Women's productivity in value chain transformation is increased Women's benificaries of the project on enhancing women enterpreneurial capacities in agribusiness and fishery value chains transformations have engagaed in the fish drying and food processing. They stated that, they have produced variety of processed foods that include dried fish, onion, tomatoes, okra, green leaves and other variety of high quality dried vegetables. The training on the products quality management has supported women to supply their products in innvative way that fulfill the standards. With this result, women continued producing and their prodcutivity is getting increased regulary.

Women secure access to productive resources and engage in sustainable resources creation activities in rural, peri-urban, conflict, post-conflict and humanitarian settings.

A total of 270 women farmers from six agricultural associations secured five-year land leases in their own names or through their associations. Decision-making power was evidenced by women independently determining cropping patterns, selecting inputs, organizing production schedules, negotiating market access, and retaining control over sales revenues. Unlike previous arrangements where women primarily provided labor, they now decide what crops to grow, when to sell, to whom, and how to reinvest profits. Access to improved seeds and cultivation inputs translated into tangible economic gains. Across the three states, women generated approximately SDG 199,608,597 (USD 332,149) from agricultural sales during the reporting period. Income control at household level was reflected in reported improvements in food security, children’s nutrition, and reinvestment in farming activities, demonstrating visible shifts in women’s economic agency and financial autonomy. Women’s engagement in higher-value activities was strengthened through the establishment of women-managed processing centers in each state. Machinery installation was completed in December 2025, after which women received operational and management training. Given the late commissioning, the centers were in the early stages of operation at the close of the reporting period; therefore, outcome-level production data and formal contracts were not yet available. However, 27 women were formally appointed to management committees and assumed responsibility for equipment oversight, production planning, maintenance scheduling, and user access rules — institutionalizing women’s governance over shared productive infrastructure. The installation of ICT equipment and targeted digital literacy training strengthened women’s capacity to maintain financial records, calculate production costs, compare market prices, and negotiate directly with traders. While no formal supply contracts had yet been signed due to the recent commissioning of the centers, women reported selling produce at more competitive prices by accessing real-time market information and reducing reliance on intermediaries. Representation within Chambers of Commerce further positions women farmers to participate in collective marketing arrangements and future contract negotiations. Investments in solar-powered systems and water-harvesting facilities provided reliable energy and irrigation access, reducing production disruptions and operational costs. Although full outcome-level returns from value-added processing are anticipated in the next reporting cycle, concrete changes already observed include: independent revenue control, formalized leadership roles in resource governance, increased price negotiation capacity, strengthened collective enterprise management, and improved household economic stability. These shifts demonstrate measurable progress in women’s economic decision-making power and agency, with longer-term value-chain returns expected as center operations scale.

Women secure access to productive resources and engage in sustainable resources creation activities in rural, peri-urban, conflict, post-conflict and humanitarian settings.

Through UN Women's support, 180 women and young women’s farmers (representing four women’s agricultural associations from the communities of Kassala and Red Sea) have secured access to agricultural land. UN Women has supported the rent of agricultural lands for 5 years to support women’s engagement in planting of crops, vegetables, and fruits. UN Women is also supporting the process of constructing 4 women’s agricultural associations, purchasing equipment to support the value chain transformation of the goods women produce, and construction of water collection centers to mitigate the risk of rain scarcity and avail a sustainable source for irrigating women’s-collective farms. The above progress UN Women has made, combined with the enhanced capacities of women’s farmers in the value chain and entrepreneurship, will do much to maintain women’s farmers' engagement in sustainable resource creation. A woman farmer from Gedarif state in Eastern Sudan mentioned that before the distribution of seeds, she was worried about how to secure the money to avail the seeds due to the conflict, the humanitarian crisis the country p is going through, the general inflation of prices, and the imminent rainy season. “When I received the seeds, I felt that my family was secure. Most women farmers engage in subsistence farming to secure basic family needs from the farm and exchange any surplus to meet other basic needs”. After the harvest, the women farmers mentioned that the farm yields had increased, and productivity had shown a noticeable increase compared to the previous years.

Women secure access to productive resources and engage in sustainable resources creation activities in rural, peri-urban, conflict, post-conflict and humanitarian settings.

Enhancing Women’s Productive Capacities in Farming (2024) In 2024, significant strides were made in enhancing women’s productive capacities in farming across Kassala and the Red Sea regions. This initiative, supported exclusively by UN Women, has empowered women farmers through strategic crop planting and improved land management practices. Key Achievements: Land Cultivation: The five-year rental of the land marks a significant turning point for women, offering substantial economic opportunities concerning land access. As a result, a total of 180 women farmers from Kassala and the Red Sea, representing four women’s agricultural associations established with UN Women’s support, successfully planted 47 acres out of a total of 57 acres. In Kassala, 90 women farmers cultivated 37 acres using an integrated irrigation system, dividing the area into 13 groups to facilitate effective land management. In Delta Tokar, Red Sea, women managed to plant 10 out of the 20 acres provided to them with various crops including okra, peas, maize, and sorghum. Challenges and Resilience: Severe flooding during the reporting period disrupted the planting of the remaining acres as water was not adequately absorbed by the land. However, farmers are optimistic that the unfarmed land will yield high production next year due to its current over-saturation with water. Economic Empowerment: Women farmers in Red Sea have begun planting fodder in response to high market demand, aiming for increased income. Land Ownership and Social Norms: Out of the 180 women farmers in Kassala and Red Sea, three own lands, ten rent land, while the remaining work as agricultural labourers on others’ farms. Social norms in Red Sea and Kassala remain restrictive, as few women are permitted to work or own land, leaving limited options for extremely vulnerable women who rely on agricultural labor. UN Women’s intervention made a significant change and shift in the situation of women agricultural laborers as they now have access and control of land for 5 years. Gedarif State Progress: The process of land rental for women farmers in Gedarif is yet to commence; however, the cultural context is different due to the various ethnic groups residing there. Among the targeted farmers, 30 women own land, 30 work in the family farms, and 30 rent land. Throughout the reporting period, the 90 women farmers cultivated, on average, 10 acres of crops such as sorghum, millet, peanuts, okra, sesame, hibiscus, and beans. They expressed high expectations for their production and yield in March and April, attributed to the large areas planted and the quality of seeds received, along with enhanced capacities and skills. A challenge remains for women in Gedarif, as sorghum and millet crops have suffered from pest invasions, which may hinder productivity. Livestock Management in Barmet, Red Sea: Women from Barmet in the Red Sea have taken charge of managing 600 goats distributed to them, with average milk production ranging from 4 to 6 pounds twice a day. They also welcomed the birth of 30 new goats, further bolstering their resources. This milk production has played a role in improving families' health and nutritional status, as reported by both women and men. Marketing efforts have yet to be implemented, pending milk processing training and connections with traders in February. Cultural barriers continue to impede women’s access to the market, coupled with the remoteness of the area, making direct marketing by women less feasible. Chamber of Commerce Membership in Gedarif: 9 women members of the association in Gedarif state became members of the chamber of commerce. This has been the result of building the capacity of the 13 members of the chamber of commerce on mainstreaming gender in trade policies and structure, where after the training, the chamber accepted women membership in the chamber.