Heifer International has launched its regional campaign, “She Has a Story to Tell. Are You Listening?”, aimed at elevating the voices and leadership of women farmers across Asia. The virtual launch convened stakeholders from across the region, including farmers, policymakers, and development partners.

Aligned with the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, the campaign seeks to reposition women farmers as central actors in food systems challenging the long-standing reality where their contributions remain undervalued and unheard.

From Visibility to Voice
Opening the event, Ms. Neena Joshi, Senior Vice President for Asia Programs at Heifer International, emphasized:
“Transformation in food systems begins with listening to the women who produce our food.”

Prajakta Koli Highlights Power of Storytelling

Campaign ambassador Ms. Prajakta Koli, author and content creator, brought a compelling narrative lens to the discussion:
“We don’t say ‘male farmer,’ so why ‘female farmer’? Why are women spoken about, but not truly listened to?”

She emphasized that storytelling can bridge the gap between data and empathy:
“When we understand where our food comes from and who produces it, it changes how we value it. These stories matter because if farmers are affected, we are all affected.” Prajakta underscored that the campaign is about creating space for women farmers to be heard not spoken for.

A Call for System-Level Change
Speakers highlighted persistent structural barriers from limited access to finance and markets to deeply rooted gender inequalities calling for inclusive policies, investment, and stronger support systems.

Heifer’s campaign ultimately aims to reshape how the world defines a “farmer “recognizing women not as invisible contributors, but as leaders at the heart of food systems and rural economies.

The question is no longer whether women farmers have a story to tell but whether we are ready to listen.