Growing leadership through experience and connection: Reflections from the Women in Agriculture Series-Webinar 1

By: Manita Raut 

What does it mean to lead with lived experience, to collaborate with purpose, and to ground leadership in the everyday realities of our work? These were the questions I found myself reflecting on as I had the privilege of leading the first session of the Women in Agriculture webinar series, hosted by the RAID Network. 

As a PhD researcher studying irrigation technology adoption among smallholder farmers in Nepal, I regularly grapple with questions of inclusion, access, and voice, both within the communities I study and in relation to my own position as a researcher. This webinar offered an opportunity to think more deeply about how leadership is shaped by these realities, particularly for women professionals working within institutions that seek to drive change. 

The session featured two remarkable women leaders whose work I have long admired: 

• Dr. Charity Osei-Amponsah, Senior Regional Researcher at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Ghana, and 

• Josephine Laka, Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) Specialist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Papua New Guinea. 

Charity’s insights on water governance, gender-transformative approaches, and climate resilience offered a compelling perspective on leading change in complex social-ecological systems. Josephine drew from more than twenty years of experience working closely with smallholder farmers, Indigenous communities, and women in rural development. Together, they shared candid reflections on navigating leadership roles while balancing personal responsibilities, professional ambitions, and institutional expectations. 

A theme that strongly resonated with me was their emphasis on mentorship. Both encouraged seeking mentors who provide honest, critical feedback and support growth. They also highlighted the importance of documenting one’s work consistently, and this blog is an effort to do so. This practice is particularly vital in contexts where women’s contributions are often overlooked. Keeping track of accomplishments not only builds visibility but also strengthens our ability to advocate for ourselves and demonstrate our value. 

Another vital part of their message was their openness about care work and family commitments, which are often invisible in professional environments. Charity and Josephine emphasized the importance of seeking supportive environments that recognize and support caregiving roles, allowing leaders to integrate into a balanced professional journey.  

Listening to their stories prompted me to reflect on my own positionality as a Nepali researcher based abroad, navigating a foreign language and academic culture. Having grown up in a farming household and witnessing how gender roles shape everyday life in rural Nepal, I often find myself emotionally connected to the communities I study. For a long time, I saw this closeness as a limitation, worrying that it might compromise the objectivity of my research. But over time, I have come to view it as a strength. These personal connections offer critical insights and deepen my understanding of the complex social dynamics at play, enabling me to ask research questions that are both methodologically rigorous and grounded in lived realities. 

Co-hosting this session alongside fellow RAID members Bridget and Anam was also a significant learning experience. Sharing responsibilities and supporting each other reaffirmed the importance of collaboration and networking in professional growth. Reconnecting with Charity, my IWMI colleague, and meeting Josephine for the first time during a leadership masterclass organized by the Crawford Fund, where I could participate through the support of RAID, exemplifies the power of seeking opportunity and mobilizing networks. Building and nurturing such relationships, and being able to organize this webinar, are lessons in themselves. 

Alongside these, additional themes were explored. If you missed the session, you can watch the full recording of the webinar below.  

We are excited to continue these conversations in future Women in Agriculture webinars, featuring more inspiring women leaders. Keep an eye on RAID platforms.