But gender inequality is putting a brake on sustainable development.

A new FAO report notes that while initial steps have been taken to alleviate the problems of rural women in the country, gender inequalities are still deeply rooted in society and change needs to be accelerated.

“Rural women should be equal partners in all areas of decision making on food and agriculture,” said Fatimata Dia Sow, ECOWAS Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender, on the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women 2016.

On the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women, we take a look at some ways in which a multi-agency programme for the economic empowerment of rural women is making a difference.

Scheduled for 16 December 2016 at FAO in Rome, Italy, the Event will bring together governments, specialized agencies, civil society and others to reflect on the causes and consequences of gender disparities in rural areas, and to identify challenges and

New agreement aims to ensure capacity development, farmers’ access to productive resources, knowledge exchange.

An organic farmer herself, Ms Mpofu has worked tirelessly for the betterment of smallholder farmers and the rights of women.

High level breakfast meeting on Empowering Women in Agriculture (EWA) initiative held during 27th session of the African Union Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.

New study highlights the contributions of women to cassava, quinoa, corn and cotton value chains.

Countries from Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia participated last week in a Regional Workshop on Gender Statistics for the Agricultural and Rural Sector.

Partnership would include capacity development and empowerment initiatives.

FAO presents gender profiles for agricultural and rural sectors of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Interim findings show sector is run mainly by women, and that almost half of all vendors in central Accra operate near a school, making them a central element in the nutrition of school children.

Earlier this month, FAO Representative in the Niger, Lassaad Lachaal, launched "Zoom on the Dimitra Clubs in Niger," a one-day meeting on the key role of Dimitra Clubs in the country's development of rural communities through information and gender-sensit

The new project, launched last month in a ceremony in the city of Aley, will focus on women dairy processors, training in dairy processing techniques, hygiene and disinfection practices.

Among Malawi's rural women, men and youth, a nationwide mass media campaign is creating awareness and fostering debate about the issues surrounding child labour in agriculture.

An FAO project aims at equal access to rural services for women, along with gender-sensitive agricultural extension services and personnel.

Sixteen women from across the Cordillera Administrative Region and Mindanao are representing the Philippines in the Global Leadership School of Indigenous Women spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Inter

Ministers of Gender and Women’s Affairs from ECOWAS countries pledge to work to ensure that gender is adequately addressed in the implementation of the ECOWAS Zero Hunger Initiative.

Making collective and individual commitments for achieving worldwide gender equity.