Eileen Bogweh Nchanji

Dr. Eileen Bogweh Nchanji is a leading expert in gender and social inclusion with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, working through the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA). She leads strategic gender research and integration across agri-food systems in more than 30 African countries, with a focus on seeds, water, breeding, climate action, nutrition, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion. 

With a PhD in Social Anthropology from Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany, Dr. Nchanji brings over a decade of experience advancing equity and inclusion in the agricultural sector. She collaborates with breeders, nutritionists, market specialists, climate scientists, and policymakers at national, regional, and international levels to co-design solutions that are both sustainable and socially inclusive. 

Her work encompasses gender-responsive climate information services, ensuring that women, vulnerable persons, and youth are not just recipients but active co-designers and drivers. Developing gender-responsive product profiles that innovatively combine participatory, gender-intentional approaches with genomic selection in bean breeding to accelerate genetic gains for smallholder farmers. Gender-intentional participant design, ensuring balanced inclusion of women, men, and jointly managed plots while considering farmer experience, land access, and marginalized groups through an intersectional lens. Building better metrics for measuring climate resilience and women’s empowerment. Co-designing inclusive seed systems and gender-transformative innovations such as socio-technical innovation bundling and youth and women's quality centers. Promoting gender-responsive and transformative investment approaches that ensure women and youth are not left behind in agrifood markets, working on institutionalizing gender, and addressing gender-based violence in the value chain.

She has developed frameworks, animations, training courses, and tools that promote a just, equitable, and sustainable food, land, and water system. She has published widely, ranging from peer-reviewed research to policy briefs and practical toolkits. She is a strong advocate for integrating both women and men in driving gender equality across households, communities, and institutions. 

Dr. Nchanji is also a passionate mentor and advocate, building women’s leadership and bargaining power in climate change and entrepreneurship. She is a recognized voice in international forums, where she calls for gender-responsive climate and agricultural policies that move beyond rhetoric to action.