FAO enhances gender equality and women's empowerment in agrifood systems
Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day is celebrated to honour women's contibutions across various spheres and advocate for gender equality and empowerment of women and girls worldwide.
This year's theme, "Invest in women: Accelerate progress," resonates with FAO’s report on the “Status of Women in the Agrifood Systems,” which underscores the importance of investing in women to close gender gaps. FAO aims to not only improve the well-being of women but also enhance their contribution to reducing hunger, increasing incomes, and strengthening resilience in communities.
Experience from various places in the world indicates that empowering women benefits entire households and communities, leading to improved agrifood systems, food security, and nutrition for all.
Despite their significant contributions to the agriculture sector and rural economy, women are often marginalized in agrifood systems. Discriminatory practices limit their access to essential resources such as land, inputs, services, credit, markets, and digital technologies, resulting in unequal opportunities and outcomes compared to men.
Gender mainstreaming and targeted interventions
Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, FAO is implementing various projects and programmes that are empowering women in agrifood systems. These initiatives focus on providing women with access to land, climate-smart technologies, financial services, and digital technology essential for agricultural activities. By introducing conservation agriculture techniques and increasing women's participation in gainful farming operations, FAO is closing the gender gap in agriculture and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Technologies such as mobile phones and the internet enable women farmers to access information on weather patterns, market prices, and new farming techniques, which helps them increase yields and improve their livelihoods.
Monica Alfred exemplifies the transformative impact of FAO's support through the Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP). Living in the rolling hills of Kasulu District in Kigoma, Monica received training on conservation agriculture practices from FAO and later adopted the techniques to optimize crop production while minimizing negative impacts on the environment. Under KJP Phase I, Monica's maize yield increased from four bags to 25 bags per acre. This substantial growth in productivity illustrates the effectiveness of sustainable farming techniques in enhancing productivity and sustainability.
The UN Joint Programme on Rural Women Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE), implemented in partnership with FAO IFAD, WFP, and UN Women, aims to improve women's land tenure security in Chamwino and Ikungi Districts in Dodoma region.
JP RWEE's gendered approach to land use planning and governance has positively impacted women in various ways, including empowerment, investment, natural resource management, resilience, and food security. Furthermore, it has significantly contributed to the reduction of gender-based violence and the increase in women's bargaining power within their communities.
Other JP RWEE interventions include constructing more accessible marketplaces for women and designing them with women's safety and protection in mind; addressing some of the challenges women face more frequently (working hours, lighting, toilet facilities, etc.), as well as reducing women's workloads and improving agriculture productivity through irrigation facilities and other mechanization technologies.
Moreover, FAO's collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries led to the establishment of the Tanzania Women Fishworkers Association (TAWFA) in 2022. TAWFA serves as a coordinating body for all its members involved in fish processing and trade as well as a platform to address their interests and concerns.