Comments by WFO
1. Does the Zero Draft appropriately capture the main challenges and barriers that hinder
progress in achieving gender equality and the full realization of women’s and girls’ rights in
the context of food security and nutrition? If not, what do you think is missing or should be
adjusted?
Yes, we think the overall the zero draft captures the main challenges and barriers.
2. Does Part 2 of the Zero Draft satisfactorily reflect the core principles which should
underpin the Guidelines? If not, how do you propose to improve these principles?
Para 17, p. 6: WFO would like to suggest adding the UN Decade on Family Farming 2019-2028
among the policy framework of reference to build the CFS guidelines. In fact, pillar 3 of the
Global Action Plan of the UNDFF is specifically focused on Promote Gender Equity in Family
Farming and the leadership role of rural women, considering women as key agents for a world
with zero hunger and inclusive food systems.
Para 22, p. 7: WFO appreciates the reference to sustainable food systems and food security.
However, we would suggest adding a specific mention to reiterate the need to guarantee girls’
and women access to education and capacity building opportunity to fully develop their skills
and potential and gain more future opportunities both from a social and economic
perspective, within their communities.
3. Do the nine sections of Part 3 of the Zero Draft comprehensively cover the policy areas to
be addressed to achieve gender equality and the full realization of women’s and girls’
rights in the context of food security and nutrition? If not, what do you think is missing?
Para 37, ii, p. 9: Strengthening women’s organisations is vital for sure, as well as women’s
participation also at leadership level in those organisations. However, from WFO side we also
think that gender equality and women empowerment should be mainstreamed at a general
level, in all policy debates and all kinds of organisations, and that women should deserve equal
opportunities as men to take also leadership roles even in those organisations where the
mandate is not strictly focused on women.
4. Does Part 4 of the Zero Draft provide all the elements necessary for effective
implementation and monitoring of the use and application of the Guidelines? If not, what
do you propose to add or change?
From WFO side, we would like to stress the relevance of what happens at the country level
once the CFS products are endorsed and circulated. It is essential to make sure that there is a
strong link between Permanent Missions in Rome, National Governments, and stakeholders’
organisations and networks. RBAs can certainly play a key role in making sure that this
connection exists and works well, through the liaison offices for example. Also, it would be
helpful to establish for example a kind of soft reporting exercise so to ask CFS members when
and how CFS guidelines have been used at national level for example to establish a financial
mechanism for rural women or a national plan, always engaging stakeholders directly through
their organisations.
Maria Giulia De Castro