Policy Planning and Research.
· Statistical information on the specific social and economic characteristics of rural women in their various situations is needed in order to develop strategic goals and objectives, and to design projects to benefit rural women. The gender variable should be included in macro-social and sectoral surveys and censuses and all information collection by agricultural bodies. The data collected should be processed and made available for use in planning and decision-making.
· Research should be carried out on: women's contribution to the national economy; the role of indigenous women in the management of natural resources and the environment; the effects of structural adjustment on women; the various aspects of food processing and marketing; the gender division of labour in productive and reproductive tasks; technology to improve women's productivity and incomes and alleviate work burdens; and the effects of the crisis, violence and drug trafficking on women's work.
· Gender sensitization and training should be carried out among decision- and policy-makers in economics, agriculture and the social fields.
Access to Agricultural Resources and Services.
· Appropriate technologies for women's agricultural production and household tasks should be generated, improved and made available, and the transfer of technology should be included in agricultural curricula.
· Women's access to land, water, credit and marketing should be improved through facilitating women's participation in users groups, and through the promotion of revolving funds, women's credit groups and women's participation in rural credit funds and programmes.
· There is also a need to establish the appropriate mechanisms to implement prevailing legislation in regards to land rights and to ensure equal access to land titles for both women and men, and particularly for female-headed households. Training should be provided to a wide range of women and women's groups, including training in financial management, marketing, and in project formulation.
· Increased financial resources should be directed to rural women.
Source: National Sectoral Report on Women, Agriculture and Rural Development, 1994.
Prepared by: Integration of Women in Development Service Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome, Italy Tel:+(39)6 52251 |
