Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Comments from SwedBio (at Stockholm Resilience Centre) on the:

‘Zero Draft of the CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women and Girls’ Empowerment in the context of Food Security and Nutrition’

General comments

• We welcome the Zero draft’s holistic approach to gender issues, commitment to Human Rights and to the realisation of the Right to Adequate Food, and gender-transformative approach, which is crucial to address the root causes of gender-based inequalities and focus on gender-equitable control over assets and productive resources.

There are still topics that don’t find enough focus in the Zero Draft

• We believe that an overwhelming emphasis is put on the lives of rural women, yet the focus on urban and peri-urban women and their role in food security and nutrition is underplayed. Women in cities, informal settlements, working in territorial markets, etc also play an important role in food systems and face challenges particular to their setting. It can be better reflected that women are not a homogenous category, but characterised by diversity. This diversity comes from their diversity of perspectives, contexts and experiences. Women are also affected by multiple forms of discrimination.
• The work for gender equality involves engaging with women and girls, men and boys, as well as non-binary people in order to break down destructive gender stereotypes that can be harmful to all genders. We would suggest non-binary people be also included when the text refers to ‘women and men’. Language on sexual orientation and gender identity should be included, particularly in the section on violence against these people, so as to promote broader recognition of the challenges faced by all genders in regard to food security and nutrition.
• It is broadly recognized that the current food systems are main drivers of land-use change, deforestation and loss of biodiversity, and that transformative change towards more sustainable, equitable and inclusive food systems is needed. The guidelines could more clearly articulate the need for a holistic systems approach that addresses the underlying indirect drivers and supports transformative change (that transforms the structures of power in society) in what is produced, how and by whom it is produced, processed, and consumed with a focus on human rights and well-being and the protection of the environment and natural resources for food security and nutrition. The ‘by whom’ it is produced is important because the right to food is connected to the right to choose how and by whom that food is produced: the food sovereignty concept and framework is an important notion in this regard. The HLPE report on ‘Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition’ (page 147), highlights the fact that that rights-based approaches to addressing food security and nutrition encompass not only women’s empowerment and the right to food, but also food sovereignty.

PART 1 - INTRODUCTION

Guiding question Nr. 1: Does the Zero Draft appropriately capture the main challenges and barriers that hinder progress in achieving gender equality and the full realisation of women’s and girls’ rights in the context of food security and nutrition in the region? If not, what do you think is missing or should be adjusted?

• The Right to Adequate Food should be unpacked more clearly in the background section, especially to emphasise a Human Rights-Based Approach to food, and how that relates with gender equality. In addition, when referring to rights-based language such as ‘rights-holders’, we would suggest a clear articulation of who the rights-holders are and which groups they belong to. This should also be distinguished from duty-bearers. Referring to women as ‘rights-holders’ is not enough to bring forward the diversity of perspectives, contexts and experiences.
• Paragraph 4 should in addition to highlighting the impacts of COVID-19 as an important challenge for food security and nutrition also refer to the challenges posed by, and the gendered impacts of, climate change, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss. This is underlined by the inextricable linkages between human health, animals, and the environment as emphasized by a One Health approach in relation to sustainable food production, 
• It is not widely understood that agriculture includes fisheries (page 5 footnote). We support the comment submitted by ICSF, stating that “It should be clearly stated that rural women include not only farmers, but also fishers and fishworkers, pastoralists (and it is insufficient to mention this only in a footnote).’ We suggest that when agricultural systems are mentioned, they are complemented as such: Agricultural systems - including farming, fishing and pastoralism”.
• Agency of women and girls should be more strongly articulated. In line with the HLPE report 15 Building a Global Narrative towards 2030, it should be acknowledged that the concept of food security has evolved to recognize the centrality of agency, as well as sustainability, along with the four other dimensions of availability, access, utilization and stability and as also reinforced in the right to food concept.
• As a principle of a Human Rights-Based Approach, everyone has the right to active and meaningful participation in decisions which affect their lives. We feel that full and effective participation is lacking in the background.
• Intersecting forms of participation are mentioned only once. We believe intersectionality would be important to have in the introduction. Women do not represent one experience but are diverse in their background, knowledge and access to power. Women’s opportunities in life are shaped by intersecting identities such as cultural background, ethnicity, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, class or income and other circumstances. These multiple factors shape women’s identity, access to resources, life opportunities, power and influence. Highlighting Human Rights principles explicitly could cover the need of embracing intersectionality.
• We feel the categories of stakeholders mentioned as involved in addressing food security and nutrition, gender equality and women’s empowerment (page 5-6) should be unpacked, particularly ‘c) Civil society, including women’s, farmers’ and small-scale food producers’ organizations, trade unions of domestic, rural and agricultural workers, and indigenous peoples’. Civil society does not differentiate between environmental NGOs vs. social movements, grassroots organisations, etc. But these organisations hold different priorities, mandates, and power relations, and are not fit to merge into one category. To remain committed to rights-based language, the categorisation of stakeholders could mention which are rights-holders and which are duty bearers.
• We welcome the focus on gender transformative approaches, as gender equality involves transformation of gender norms beyond ensuring the rights of women and girls, and since such approaches have proven important not only for gender equality and women’s empowerment, but also in relation to poverty and food security[1]. Definitions and a discussion of how the concepts of gender transformative and gender responsive approaches are used and promoted by the Voluntary Guidelines could be included.
• Also, similarly to the comments submitteed by ICSF, we believe that “Point 1.1.7: Needs to include women’s contributions to fisheries - especially small-scale fisheries - including fishing, processing and marketing. Their role extends beyond production, and includes crucial reproduction tasks, such as sustenance of families and communities, and the protection of natural resources and local ecosystems”.

PART 2 – CORE PRINCIPLES THAT UNDERPIN THE GUIDELINES

Guiding question Nr. 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?

• Paragraph 17: We believe reference to some crucial resolutions, declarations or policy products are missing in the list in part 2, particularly:

- For a document which has a great focus on rural women, we feel that the ‘United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas’ (UNDROP) as a guiding framework is lacking.

- To fully engage with Indigenous peoples’ food systems and Indigenous women, reference to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is crucial.

- The ‘CFS Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security’ which are only referred to as a footnote.

- The ‘Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication’ (SSF Guidelines).

- The Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment (HRC/RES/48/13)

• Paragraph 19: We appreciate that Human Rights and the Right to Adequate Food are listed as core principles of the Voluntary Guidelines.
• Paragraph 28: Could stress the importance of multi-stakeholder collaborations and partnerships being under-pinned by a Human Rights-Based Approach which recognizes the different roles, rights and responsibilities of rights-holders and duty bearers. It should similarly make a clear distinction between stakeholders and right holders.

PART 3 – THE VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ON GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ EMPOWERMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

Guiding question Nr. 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?

3.2 Elimination of violence and discrimination against women for improved food security and nutrition

• Language on sexual orientation and gender identity should be included, particularly in the section on violence against these people, so as to promote broader recognition of the challenges faced by all genders in regard to food security and nutrition.

3.3 Access to education, capacity building, training, knowledge and information services

• Formal knowledge is referred to, but not non-formal forms of knowledge: traditional knowledge, cultural knowledge; and knowledge transmission: intergenerational, horizontal peer-to-peer learning etc, should be included. Education is not just about seeing women and girls as receivers of knowledge, but as important knowledge holders when it comes to agriculture, nature and wellbeing. The knowledge that women have produced and passed down for generations, from the identification of wild plants, food production, seed production and conservation, is crucial when it comes to diversity in farming methods and healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.

3.5 Access to and control over natural and productive resources

• Linkages to climate change are clear, but the section could more clearly articulate the challenges posed by ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss (e.g. in paragraph 89) as well as refer to the importance of full and effective participation of women in the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity (paragraph 91). Drawing parallels with the CBD Gender Plan of Action could provide interesting entry points and synergies. Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment as a new framework could be integrated into the Guidelines.
• Paragraph 84: The problem statement should be broadened to reflect the diverse productive sectors referred to in 3.5.1. In addition to land rights it should also encompass customary rights, water rights, etc.
• Paragraph 95: Referring to agricultural inputs excludes small-scale fishers (SSF) and pastoralists. SSF women face challenges in accessing technologies as well, and there is a need for them to mobilise and cooperate, especially facing changes in regulations. Ex. changes in net sizes or changing materials.
• Right to seed should be mentioned here.
• Agroecology as a viable alternative to address unsustainable and unjust food systems is not sufficiently emphasised in the text. Reference to the Policy recommendations on Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition is lacking. Here we support the comment sent by the EU: “We believe that the agroecological transformation of agrifood systems is not limited to food production practices, but entails more balanced access to resources, more balanced relations and distribution of power. Agroecology could be a key opportunity for women to gain influence and recognition and to contribute to better nutrition/food security. We therefore believe that there is considerable scope for the guidelines to address the significance of agroecology and the promotion of territorial markets (as opposed to increased reliance on retail food outlets) for food systems transformation and the implications for integrating gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment into such a transformative process.”

3.6 Access to labour markets and decent work

• Paragraph 105: The situation for migrant women and refugees are highlighted. However, it can be clarified that, in general, women are subject to all sorts of abuse in the labour market due to social and cultural norms, power relations and intersecting forms of vulnerability—for example, sex for fish.

3.8 Women and men’s ability to make strategic choices for healthy diets and good nutrition

• We feel the scope of this section could preferably be broadened as it lacks the important connections between integrated, diversified production systems and more diverse and nutritious diets as well as the interconnected challenges posed by climate change, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss for the realisation of healthy and nutritious diets that impacts women, girls, men and boys differently.

PART 4 - IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING OF THE USE AND APPLICATION OF THE VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES

Guiding question Nr. 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?

• Paragraph 131: Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines (on Gender) could be supported by stating the international declarations and legally binding instruments that have been endorsed, such as CEDAW and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in this section which pertains to implementation. This could ensure greater guidance but also greater commitment to the Voluntary Guidelines (on Gender). Reminding that the principles stated at the start of the document also apply to sound implementation of the guidelines, especially those relating to non-discrimination, inclusiveness and participation in policy-making, could also provide further guidance on implementation.
• Building and strengthening capacity for implementation, paragraph 134: we lack mention of support to women-led networks and civil society organisations, or collective action done by women.
• Paragraph 135: Government ‘in consultation with other stakeholders’ – full and effective, and meaningful participation, is lacking. Referring to governments as duty bearers and distinguishing them from rights holders would be a proper commitment to a Human Rights-Based Approach.