Tue Feb 11 19:22:43 UTC 2025: ## Investing in Women’s Empowerment: A Transformative Force, Says World Farmers’ Organisation President

**Chennai, February 12, 2025** – Arnold Puech D’Alissac, president of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), declared that empowering women is not only equitable but also crucial for transformative societal change. Speaking at a UN-affiliated event in Chennai on Monday, D’Alissac highlighted the role of women’s cooperatives in strengthening communities and building resilience in agriculture.

The event, “UN Year of Cooperatives: Building Women’s Cooperative Leadership Networks Through Capacity Building,” was organized by the Working Women’s Forum (India) and the Indian Cooperative Network for Women. It emphasized the power of cooperatives in amplifying women’s voices and leadership.

Andreas Kappes, Secretary General of the International Raiffeisen Union, echoed these sentiments, praising women leaders for developing beneficial solutions. Nandini Azad, president of the Working Women’s Forum (India), noted the international recognition of their focus on women’s cooperatives.

Six women cooperative entrepreneurs received the H.S. Jaya Arunachalam Awards for Excellence. Representatives from the CARICOM Agricultural & Agro-Industrial Development (Guyana) and the Brazilian Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Farming also addressed the gathering. The event served as a side event of the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development.

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