Dr Francesca Mancini
Celebrating women across the globe to prevent deaths from pesticide self-poisoningSupporting safer agriculture and healthier communities in South Asia
Name
Dr Francesca Mancini
Job role
International Consultant, South Asia, Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention.
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Tell us about your role?
I work across South Asia in collaboration with government bodies and research institutions, primarily in the agriculture and public health sectors. My work focuses on identifying which pesticides pose the greatest risks to human health — particularly within farming communities — and supporting the development of feasible transitions toward more ecological and sustainable approaches to crop production. This involves generating evidence, engaging policymakers, and helping design practical pathways that reduce harmful chemical exposure while maintaining farmers’ livelihoods.
Why is this work important to you?
My commitment to this work began over 25 years ago working with small cotton farmers in India. During that time, I came to understand how pesticide poisoning in some countries is another face of poverty. Many farmers and agricultural workers I met in the field were aware and many had already experienced the health risks associated with chemical use and were concerned about its long-term impact on their families and communities. However, they faced immediate priorities that did not allow them to worry about the future — such as putting food on the table every evening. Workers often had no better employment opportunities to go to.
This experience shaped my conviction that reducing pesticide harm is not only an environmental or health issue — it is also a matter of social justice.
This profile has been compiled for International Women’s Day 2026, to celebrate the incredible women worldwide who are helping to prevent deaths from pesticide self-poisoning.