Women in Agroecology
Vikalpani promotes agroecology as a just and economically sustainable solution to agriculture and food systems. Women in Vikalpani actively practice and share agroecological knowledge, presenting it as a viable alternative to chemical-intensive farming methods.
Women in Seed Sovereignty
Just as seeds are central to agriculture, women are vital as seed custodians. They collect, conserve, and distribute seeds while sharing knowledge about local varieties. The rural women of Vikalpani have established a Seed Production and Distribution Society to produce, conserve, and distribute local seeds within their communities. Registered under the Seed Act No. 22 of 2003, they continue their seed production, distribution, and banking activities as a group of entrepreneurs, promoting biodiversity and agroecology.
Women in the Rural Economy
Vikalpani is dedicated to promoting the economic rights of rural women by enhancing their financial capacities through collective income-generating activities, developing savings systems, improving infrastructure, and connecting them to diverse market networks. These efforts aim to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship and economic independence while also ensuring their meaningful integration into policy change processes.
Women rise up
Vikalpani stands at the forefront of defending the rights of rural communities, especially women, by advocating for access to seeds, water, and land, while actively resisting gender inequality and violence. Since the 1980s, Vikalpani has played a key role in movements against unjust agrarian policies, including the Uva Wellassa sugarcane project and water taxation. Each year, it amplifies the voices and demands of rural women through the global 16 Days of Activism campaign..
Vikalpani Children and Youth Clubs
Vikalpani has children’s societies affiliated with schools and the youth club, where rural women have gathered and implemented actions on climate change, agroecology and youth-led initiatives. Protecting our children from toxic pesticides is one of the leading campaigns led by Viaklapni each year.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of Rural Women and Girls
Vikalpani is implementing programs to ensure the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of rural women and girls. In many rural areas, limited knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and inadequate access to SRHR services remain critical challenges. These issues have been further worsened by the economic crisis and increased taxation on sanitary products. Moreover, the climate crisis has a direct and growing impact on the sexual and reproductive health of rural women.
oUR Ongoing PROJECTS
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Enhancing the women farmers’ economic leadership through developing seed banks
Donor -UNFPA partnering with Alience Development Fund
This project aims to empower women farmers by encouraging them to develop their economic capacities through seed production and marketing activities. The seed-producing and marketing society is strengthened.
Organic agriculture capacity building and advocacy project
Donor -Misereor partnering with Lanka Organic Agricultural Movement
Ensuring Local Food Sovereignty through a Women-Led Agroecological Approach and Agri-Based Value Chain Development
Empowering Youth as Change Agents in Advancing Agroecological Food Systems
Donor -PANAP through APEX platform
To empower 20 youths to contribute to women-led agroecological practices through their own innovative and creative approaches.
Documenting the Negative Impact of Highly Hazardous Pesticides on Rural Women and Exploring Women’s Roles in Advancing Sustainable Food Systems through Alternative Practices.
Donor - PANAP through APEX platform
To document the diverse impacts of highly hazardous pesticides on women, including health, social, economic, and cultural dimensions, and to document women’s alternative agricultural practices that contribute to advancing the food system.
Promoting agroecology transition from a rights-based perspective to tackle multiple crises
Donor - AGROECOLOGY FUND partnering with PANAP
This project aims to support the agroecology initiatives of communities in South Asia as real climate solutions, particularly in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. By supporting these initiatives, the project will contribute to further strengthening the global rural peoples' movement for food sovereignty, agroecology, and climate justice.
Our regional and global partners and networks
