WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Tuesday, February 28th, the "Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index" (WEAI), will be launched at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The WEAI is the first ever measure to directly capture women's empowerment and inclusion levels in the agricultural sector. Women play a critical role in agricultural growth in developing countries. Yet they face persistent obstacles and economic constraints, limiting further inclusion in the sector.

The Index is a partnership between the US Government's Feed the Future program, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) of Oxford University. The index will be used for performance monitoring and impact evaluations of Feed the Future programs around the world. It has been piloted in regions of three countries so far - Bangladesh, Guatemala, and Uganda.

WHAT

Roundtable Discussion and Official Launch of the Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index

WHO

Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator, USAID
Dr. Sabina Alkire, Director, Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative
Dr. Agnes Quisumbing, Senior Research Fellow, Poverty, Health, and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute
Her Excellency Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, State Minister of Women and Children Affairs, Republic of Bangladesh
His Excellency Efraín Medina, Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Guatemala

WHEN

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 1:15 P.M. - 2:30 P.M.

WHERE

United Nations Headquarters (New York, NY), Conference Room #4

PRESS

This event is open to credentialed members of the media. Pre-set time for video cameras inside Conference Room #4 is 12:00 P.M. Members of the news media should RSVP and provide accreditations to the USAID Press Office at usaidpressofficers@usaid.gov and United Nations malu@un.org in order to receive a one-day pass.

For more information about USAID's programs, please visit: usaid.gov. To read our blog, see blog.usaid.gov.