![ACIAR stories banner](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/hero_banner/public/2019-03/Stories%20banner.png?itok=aiGNDwEX)
![Mother and son, Maureen and Richard Trison, inside their poultry shed with the lanterns they use to keep chicks warm](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/family%20farm%20teams_1.jpg?itok=AleGozRp)
Professor Barbara Pamphilon is a co-convenor of the ‘Seeds of change’ conference. She spoke to Partners recently about her ongoing work in PNG and its likely extension into other Pacific regions.
![Women take notes at a market](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/conference.jpg?itok=etAGUkK2)
Meet Professors Katherine Gibson and Naila Kabeer; two key speakers presenting at the ‘Seeds of Change' Conference.
![Women selling dried fish along the Kasama-Luwingu road in northern Zambia](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/africa-fisheries.jpg?itok=3tjOiS5E)
An innovative program in the lakes fisheries regions of Zambia and Malawi has driven change in the livelihoods and empowerment of women.
![Women farmers in Nepal](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/strategy.jpg?itok=5HeGI5Z6)
ACIAR’s country offices are an important link with in-country partner agencies and play an important role in the development of the ACIAR gender strategy.
![A farmer and her daughter](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/agenda.jpg?itok=dPfbJSAZ)
In the lead-up to the April ‘Seeds of Change’ conference, Partners spoke to several gender specialists working in agricultural development about what is driving this change.
![Dr Nghiem Quyen Chi says, “I love my job,” with genuine passion.](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/blazing%20trail.jpg?itok=gZF_Sa8q)
Significant steps towards gender equality have opened up new opportunities for women. ACIAR is contributing by supporting talented women to pursue careers in agricultural research.
![Creating "balanced scientists"](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/cover-scientists_0.jpg?itok=yQakrhF3)
ACIAR has had an enduring focus on capacity building, but that focus is intensifying with several initiatives in 2019.
![Santana Rana cleaning moli fish](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/fish.jpg?itok=xUfZUsp4)
Dr Jessica Bogard and Dr Shamia Chowdhury presented on the impact of a WorldFish aquaculture project in Bangladesh at the Crawford Fund Conference.
![PNG smallholders](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/png%20smallholders_3.jpg?itok=7GhQAN7i)
Helping PNG’s smallholders think of their farms as a family business improves their finances, shares the load more equitably and leads to better outcomes for men and women.
![Women discussing galip nuts (canarium)](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/canarium.jpg?itok=nJ8quRyc)
From producing and selling their "galip nuts" product at local markets, these women from East New Britain are now working in partnerships to increase their volume and expand markets.
![Transforming dairy farming in Pakistan](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/dairy%20pakistan.jpg?itok=5ygKjblg)
ACIAR livestock projects funded in Pakistan over the past decade have had one clear objective — improve the productivity and profitability of smallholder dairy farms.
![Participants in an ACIAR leadership program](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/transforming%20careers.jpg?itok=06JWwJrp)
Developing leadership skills and career development for agricultural scientists and policymakers - particularly women scientists in Asia and the Pacific - are key themes of ACIAR’s renewed capacity building program.
![Working towards equality in research for development](/genderequity/sites/_co-lab.aciar.gov.au.genderequity/files/styles/two_column_block_landing_page/public/2019-03/equality%20research_1.jpg?itok=YPfH23Ix)
On International Women’s Day 2019, we celebrate our commitment to gender equity by focussing on a new wave of female scientists who are already working on ACIAR-funded projects in the Philippines.