As a member of the Samandağ women’s cooperative, Çiğdem Kudret produces a range of local specialties to sell at local markets and online. Cooperatives in Türkiye, supported by FAO, are promoting women’s entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency. 

Rural communities worldwide are grappling with escalating challenges brought on by the climate crisis. As disasters become more frequent and severe, and environmental conditions grow harsher, the burden on these communities intensifies. However, it is women who are bearing the heaviest brunt of these impacts, including significant financial losses.

During the EU GreenWeek 2023, the SFS-MED project hosted its fifth webinar with a focus on Gender equality in Mediterranean Food Systems.

All over the world, women encounter many forms of gender-based violence. Early marriage is one of these forms, taking away a girl’s opportunity for education and gaining skills to be independent.

“If we tackle the gender inequalities endemic in agrifood systems and empower women, the world will take a leap forward in addressing the goals of ending poverty and creating a world free from hunger”, says FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in the foreword of the report.

Thanks to the project, many rural women in Deir al-Ahmar are now becoming entrepreneurs and active members of the association.

Lkhagva, her husband and many other participants have gained rich experience in agricultural practices and technologies from the FAO-China SSC project.

It hasn’t been easy for the Pioneers to gather and control the tree’s bounty.

“I wish everyone from the 11 villages in this commune could join WE-FBS trainings.”

Through FISH4ACP, women have learned that there is power in numbers.

Ligia Elena remembers when she made that mental switch herself. It started with an FAO programme that came to her village.

Analyzing these gender norms can support the development of financial services that better meet women’s needs.

“We saw the rates of GBV around the world rise dramatically, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Henry Swira, Director for Gender, Youth and Livelihoods at CARE USA.

Salwa Nuseir, poultry farmer, Damas village Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, benefitted greatly from attending the digital skills course organized by Nevin Talaat, the manager of the agricultural extension centre in Damas.

When it appointed its first Chief Scientist two years ago, FAO chose a woman for the position.

FAO-IFAD-WFP push to enhance rural women and girls’ digital capabilities and tackle the barriers they face to access technology to be equal contributors to our agrifood systems.

Inclusive policy and technology uptake can help meet the needs of women, youth, and marginalized groups, which is central to FAO's mandate.

Malika Machalikashvili from rural Georgia undertook FAO trainings to improve her yields and started selling her surplus agricultural products with a smartphone.