Under the auspices of His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of Suriname, and in the presence of the UN Resident Coordinator Ad Interim, Dr. Dennis Zulu. Representatives from the United Nations and Surinamese government officials gathered to launch the groundbreaking "Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator" (ASTA) project. Supported by FAO, UNIDO, ILO, and UNFPA, and receiving significant funding of USD 2 million from the UN Joint SDG Fund, the initiative aims to revamp Suriname's pineapple sector for the benefit of indigenous and rural communities.
The primary goal of the ASTA project is to boost pineapple production tenfold, reaching 20,000 tonnes per year by 2030, and expand sales domestically and internationally. This ambitious undertaking is projected to generate at least USD 10 million annually and create 1,000 new jobs, substantially improving rural livelihoods and empowering women and youth ensuring inclusivity and sustainable development.
Promoting Gender Equality through UNFPA Mandate
The ASTA project recognizes the historically entrenched gender roles in pineapple cultivation, with women and children predominantly working in the fields and men handling financial decisions. To promote gender equality, and gender equity, and combat gender-based violence (GBV), the UNFPA plays a crucial role in providing equal opportunities and resources, as well as business knowledge and loans for women and youth in the project.
Empowering Through Training and Community Engagement
The UNFPA is dedicated to implementing gender-responsive and transformative strategies through community engagement and capacity-building programs that involve both female and male farmers. A gender capacity strengthening work plan for 2023 was presented at an inception workshop in various Indigenous and Maroon communities in February and March to ensure effective implementation.
Inaugural Training Session in Moengo
The first workshop of the Gender Capacity Strengthening work plan was held on July 15th, 2023, in Moengo, Marowijne. Trainers from UNFPA Suriname, Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA), and FAO facilitated a total of 21 attendees that were selected through the Coöperatief Platform AO Marowijne and Marron Vrouwen Netwerk (MVN). The presentations proceeded in Dutch and Sranang, with translations provided in Okanisi, the local language of the (attending) Maroons.
The topics covered various crucial aspects. Hemwatie Goeptar from FAO provided an overview of the ASTA project, emphasizing its history, objectives, agro-economic opportunities, and the importance of stakeholder collaboration for success. Whilst Yvonne Towikromo from BGA discussed the organization's role and gender policies aimed at increasing women's and girls' overall participation across society, emphasizing collaboration between men and women within the ASTA project. The YAGees (Chathera Adrai, Sjaenda Pita, and Damien Poeketie) presented the UNFPA's mandate, addressing sexual exploitation and abuse in the workplace, and promoting Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights. The project officer, Astrid Runs, explained the gender concept and concluded with interactive group work.
