Gender Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean face a context of economic slowdown, with an increase in food insecurity, malnutrition and the risks associated with climate change. This situation strongly affects rural women and constitutes a significant obstacle to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

That is why FAO is committed to promoting gender equality and protecting women's rights as fundamental human rights.

Consequently, FAO Policy on Gender Equality 2020-2030 mandates the Organization to focus its work on achieving equality between women and men in sustainable agriculture and rural development with a view to eliminating hunger and poverty.

This site reports on the work in favour of gender equality carried out by FAO in cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean States, providing information on initiatives, good practices, methodologies and tools that contribute to the achievement of gender equality.

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Mujeres Rurales, Mujeres con Derechos [Rural Women, Women With Rights] Campaign

The campaign convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is a collaborative work initiative that joins efforts, articulates networks, disseminates knowledge and positive experiences to promote the full autonomy of women in the rural world.

Since 2016 this campaign articulates government entities, civil society organisations and United Nations agencies around regional and national advocacy actions in favour of the empowerment of rural women in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Actions

Year	Action
2016	Regional social media campaign
2017	Regional campaign on social networks and competitions at territorial level.
2018	Regional social media campaign and platform to energize sub-regional agendas.
2019	Days of social media activism and national activities.
2020-2021	Regional campaign on social networks and competitions at territorial level.

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Transformative initiatives

Colombia

Dec 20, 2023, 12:54 PM

Title : Colombia

Open on load : No

Trajectories and aspirations of rural young people

In 2019, RIMISP conducted a study in Colombia to understand the trajectories and aspirations of rural youth, the role of territory and public policies in them from their contribution to the reduction of constraints to their economic inclusion. This study analyses the obstacles and constraints faced by rural youth in the transition from childhood to adulthood, the individual and collective strategies they develop to overcome them, and the influence of gender systems.

Young people in rural area are at the heart of the territorial development agenda. Youth is a critical period in which autonomy is consolidated and some key transitions take place, such as access to education, the world of work and parenthood. These define aspirations and life trajectories. Moreover, today's rural youth are potential agents of change. They have higher levels of education, better access to information and basic public services, greater proximity to and use of new information technologies than previous generations.

Among the results, three territorial inequalities stand out that recur in the trajectories of rural youth: schooling and training, and the development of the social protection system. In addition, rural transformations lead to precarious opportunities for rural youth, but also to a wider horizon of activities and places. This leads to high occupational and geographical mobility and a non-linear transition from childhood to adulthood. It is necessary to bear in mind that this generates high levels of uncertainty and anxiety.

Digital strategy to bring financial services to rural women

Bancamía, a Colombian subsidiary of the BBVA Microfinance Foundation, supports vulnerable entrepreneurs in their progress and works to provide them with access to financial resources. This is especially true for those in rural areas.

To achieve this goal, Bancamía is constantly developing its digital strategy: technology is the great ally in the fight against financial exclusion and inequality.

Therefore, mobility tools were implemented throughout the network, enabling executive staff to bring their offices closer to customers' homes.

Technology and channel strategy are helping to make this a reality. By June 2020, the entity had served more than 323 000 vulnerable entrepreneurs through its 217 offices and service points.

In the first half of the year, the institution supported174 000 credit clients, helping them to improve their quality of life and that of their families. Rural women account for 29 percent of the microentrepreneurs served by Bancamía. Eighty-five percent are mothers.