We cannot end hunger and poverty without empowering both men and women in agrifood systems.
Today, agriculture and food systems face an unprecedented array of challenges. We must feed a growing global population in a context of emerging and persisting crises - economic, energy, environmental, food and social. These include conflicts, natural disasters, price volatility, market insecurity, mass migrations, health crises, and more, all of which are exacerbated by climate change, depletion of natural resources, rapid urbanization, shifts in dietary patterns and livelihood systems.
Faced with these challenges, it is more important than ever to build inclusive, sustainable and resilient agrifood systems, so that the agricultural sector can perform to its full capacity and become more efficient. FAO recognizes that in order to achieve this, we must address the persisting inequalities that effect the underperformance of the agriculture sector in many countries. We need to work with and empower rural women, men, girls and boys.
IN FOCUS
FAO report The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems
The new FAO report provides a comprehensive picture of the status of women not only in agriculture, but across agrifood systems. It presents extensive data and lessons learned about gender in agrifood systems, with particular focus on how women participate in and benefit from socio-economic opportunities.
IN FOCUS
Country Gender Assessment
The Country Gender Assessment (CGA) provides an update on the situation of women and men in agriculture and the rural sector by country. Based on available data disaggregated by sex and age, each report describes the situation of women and men, as well as their specific roles and opportunities in agriculture and rural economies. The report also highlights gender disparities in access to productive and natural resources, financial and advisory services and decent employment, as well as the implications for the sustainable management of natural resources, food security and nutrition. The CGA offers concrete recommendations for addressing the gender gap and guiding the design and implementation of gender-responsive agricultural and rural development policies, strategies and programmes.
Latest Publications
Country Assessment
Bhutan: Country Gender Assessment of agriculture and the rural sector (Country Gender Assessment Series)
17/05/2023
Bhutanese women are vital players in the food security and nutrition landscape. However, there still remain gender inequalities and constraints. This...
Publications
Addressing gender issues in pesticide management
17/05/2023
This brochure highlights the gender-related implication of pesticide use and management, focusing on the role of women in handling hazardous pesticides...
Latest Multimedia
Video
The status of women in agrifood systems
13/04/2023
Tackling gender inequalities in agrifood systems and empowering women reduces hunger, boosts the economy, and reinforces resilience to shocks like climate...
Video
Loyda Twinomujuni – FAO-China South-South Cooperation (SSC) Programme
19/09/2022
Loyda Twinomujuni runs a thriving farm where she rears cattle and pigs.
Video
Commercial aquaculture: an entrepreneurial opportunity for youth in Gabon - Celeste Lossangoye
08/09/2022
Céleste Lossangoye took part in FAO training on intensive aquaculture production techniques to promote commercial aquaculture. At the end of ten days...
E-learnings
Developing gender-sensitive value chains
01/05/2020
The development of sustainable food systems is a key component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This course discussed why eliminating...
Understanding Rural Poverty
01/06/2019
This course is the first in the Rural Poverty Reduction series, and provides an overview of rural poverty, and why it is so important to overcome...
Migration and Gender
01/12/2018
This one-lesson course considers the gender dimension of rural migration. As men and women experience migration differently, to reduce the vulnerability...
SDG Indicator 5.a.1 - Equal tenure rights for women on agricultural land
01/02/2018
This course focuses on SDG Indicator 5.a.1, which is one of two indicators that focus on women’s ownership and/or control over agricultural land....
SDG Indicator 5.a.2 - Ensuring women’s legal rights to land ownership and/or control
01/02/2018
This course focuses on SDG Indicator 5.a.2 which assesses women’s equal rights to land ownership and/or control. The course describes the indicator,...
The Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems
01/01/2018
Through this mobile resource, you will be able to explore the Principles for responsible investment in agriculture and food systems, endorsed by...
Governing land for women and men
01/11/2017
This course explains the importance to take into account gender and social issues when dealing with land tenure, and what actions must be adopted...
Gender in Food and Nutrition Security
01/10/2014
The course helps raise awareness about the importance of addressing gender equality in food and nutrition security and agricultural policy and programming....
FAO Policy on Gender Equality 2020-2030
Gender equality is essential to achieve FAO's mandate of a world free hunger, malnutrition and poverty. The Organization recognizes that persisting inequalities between women and men are a major obstacle to agriculture and rural development and that eliminating these disparities is essential to building sustainable and inclusive food systems and resilient and peaceful societies.
Related links
- Fisheries and Aquaculture | Gender equality in fisheries and aquaculture
- Gender mainstreaming | Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)
- Gender | Policy Support and Governance Gateway
- Joint Programme on Gender Transformative Approaches for Food Security Improved Nutrition and Sustainable Agriculture (JP-GTA)
- Rural women | Family Farming Knowledge Platform