Petronella Phiri: A Story of Strength, Resilience, and Sustainable Farming in Mumbwa

During 2025 International Women’s Day, FIAN Zambia conducted an upclose interview with  Petronella Phiri, a resident in Mumbwa District, Zambia who is living proof that resilience and determination can transform adversity into opportunity. When the 2023/2024 droughts struck, leaving her community vulnerable to food insecurity, Petronella took charge adopting sustainable farming practices that would not only feed her family but inspire those around her.

Faced with failing crops and dry soils, Petronella applied techniques she had learned through local training sessions and shared knowledge, focusing on resource efficient and climate-resilient methods. Her proactive response not only improved her household’s food security but also created a ripple effect within her community, where others began to take notice and follow suit.

Petronella’s experience highlights key issues that are central to promoting the rights and dignity of women:

·  Access to Education: With knowledge in sustainable farming, she was empowered to make informed choices that safeguarded her family’s livelihood.

·  Economic Empowerment: By increasing yields and income through sustainable practices, Petronella demonstrated the economic potential of women when supported with the right tools and knowledge.

·  Participation in Decision-Making: Her leadership in adopting and guiding farming decisions shows the importance of women's voices in shaping household and community strategies.

·  Access to Resources: Her ability to obtain farming inputs and participate in training underscores the need for equal access to resources for women in agriculture.

Petronella’s journey is not just about surviving a drought it is about transforming hardship into a pathway for change. Her story serves as a call to action to invest in women’s leadership, promote access to agricultural knowledge, and support grassroots resilience in the face of climate change.

Listen to Petronella’s story by clicking on the link below: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CdxfSfuxU/