Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

This member contributed to:

    • Comments on behalf of the Responsible Agricultural Investment (RAI) Team at FAO

      As a general comment, and especially since the Guidelines are being negotiated in the context of the CFS, we would like to stress out the importance of explicitly mentioning the CFS Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI Principles). Principle 3 is specifically on “Foster gender equality and women’s empowerment”.

      Kindly find below more specific comments based on the guiding questions indicated in the open consultation.

      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?

      The Zero Draft overall captures the main challenges and barriers that hinder progress in achieving gender equality. However, some key elements are missing from Part 1-Introduction, where relevance should be given to the current unequal access to extension, advisory and financial services, education, training, markets and information. In addition, women’s meaningful participation in partnerships, decision-making, leadership roles, and the equitable sharing of benefits are also current challenges that should be mentioned here (see principle 3 CFS-RAI). Some suggestions on wording are provided in the document attached.

      Also, the Guidelines indicate they are directed to stakeholders that are involved in addressing food security and nutrition, gender equality and women’s empowerment, but they should also be addressed to those who work in the agricultural and food systems sector and are currently not contributing or even hindering food security and nutrition, gender equality and women’s empowerment (e.g. those involved in agricultural investments; see suggested wording in document).

      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

      Some of the points included under “core principles” seem rather objectives than core principles, we would suggest to revise and even reduce number of principles (suggestion in the document attached).

      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?)

      On behalf of the RAI TEAM, we feel the investment dimension is comprehensively covered, and we would leave the analysis of the other policy areas to our gender colleagues.

      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?

      Would suggest to include reference to the principles for the implementation of the CFS-RAI Principles and the VGGT: human dignity, non-discrimination, equity and justice, gender equality, holistic and sustainable approach, consultation and participation, the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

      In relation to monitoring, we would suggest to reconsider the encouragement made to governments to define national priorities and related indicators to report against, as they already have many indicators to report against, and statistical offices are already struggling to collect required data. I would suggest encouraging governments to make use of the Guidelines as a tool to support their already due reporting against SDG 5 and other gender-related monitoring mechanisms. Clearly indicating how the guidelines could play an instrumental role towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda would really show their added value.

      We take this opportunity to congratulate all those involved in the development of these guidelines and remain available in case there is any further support our team can provide.

      Thank you

      See the attachments: