Leveraging the 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer, this World Food Forum 2026 side event will explore how young women can be supported to lead the transformation of agrifood systems towards more equitable, resilient and sustainable futures by 2050. Drawing on emerging evidence from the CGIAR GENDER Accelerator flagship report, alongside lessons from youth- and gender-focused initiatives, the session will highlight the barriers young women face and the solutions needed to overcome them.

Organized by the Alliance Biodiversity & CIAT, the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, CGIAR GENDER Equality and Inclusion, the FAO Forest and Farm Facility and ProVeg International, the session will bring together young women leaders, researchers, farmers’ organizations, policymakers, investors, donors and development partners to showcase innovative and gender-transformative approaches and discuss what is needed to scale them.