Women play essential and often unrecognized roles across agrifood markets and value chains. As producers, traders, processors, entrepreneurs, knowledge holders, and workers in both formal and informal economies, their contributions are central to food security, nutrition, and economic resilience. Women engaged in agrifood trade also generate economic opportunities that strengthen their households and communities, while contributing to food security and the resilience of agrifood systems.
In support of the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) 2026, the Markets and Trade Division (EST) is curating a dedicated collection of publications, activities, and outreach materials that shed light on women’s participation in agrifood trade. This work strengthens the evidence base, informs gender-responsive trade and market policies, and promotes more inclusive and efficient agrifood systems.
Through research, capacity development, policy engagement, and collaboration with partners, EST contributes to FAO’s mandate to advance gender equality and ensure that women and men have equitable opportunities, rights, and access to markets, decent work, and the benefits of trade.
The Year will spotlight the essential roles women play across
agrifood systems, from production to trade, while often going
unrecognized. Women farmers are central to food security, nutrition and
economic resilience.
Women farmers: who they are and what they do
Women farmers are all women working in agrifood systems in different capacities across all segments of value chains. This includes farmers, producers, peasants, family and smallholder farmers, seasonal laborers, fishers, fish workers, beekeepers, pastoralists, foresters, processors, traders, traditional knowledge holders, women in agricultural sciences, formal and informal workers, and rural entrepreneurs. They encompass women in all their diversity, including young and older women, Indigenous women and women in local communities, women with disabilities, refugee and displaced women, and others.
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Supporting Women in Agrifood Trade
Eastern African dairy value chains: what prospects for women in trade?
27/05/2024
In Eastern Africa, dairy value chains are an important source of income and employment for millions of smallholders, particularly for women who provide an essential contribution to the growth of the dairy sector. While the sector is rapidly growing, and expanding trade in dairy products holds immense potential for boosting inclusive economic growth in Eastern Africa, dairy trade mostly remains a small-scale domestic business in the region.
Gender dimension in the Cotton Sector: characterising the role of women
05/07/2023
Cotton is an important source of livelihood for millions of smallholders worldwide and women contribute significantly to cotton farming, constituting a large share of the workforce involved in primary production. However, women face disproportionate barriers along the cotton value chain in terms of access to land, inputs and services that affect the quality of their participation and the benefit they can derive.
Guidelines on healthy and safe employment of women in the Latin American banana industry
26/08/2025
The document aims to contribute to improved working conditions for women in the Latin American banana industry by providing guidelines for the healthy and safe employment of women workers, in an industry that has historically been dominated by men. It counts on contributions from women leaders of the Coordinating Body of Latin American Banana and Agro-industrial Unions.
Report of the World Banana Forum's webinar on "Building a Resilient Banana Industry Through Gender Equity and Human Rights Due Diligence"
05/12/2025
The report presents key insights on integrating gender equity into human rights due diligence to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the global banana sector. It highlights the vital but often undervalued contributions of women across the value chain, the barriers they face such as discrimination, unequal access to opportunities and risks of gender-based violence, and it showcases practical strategies that promote safe, inclusive and equitable working environments.
Multimedia
The International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026
28/11/2025
The International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 aims to raise awareness of the role of women in agrifood systems and the challenges they face, including land tenure, financial and technical constraints, and limited access to services and education.
World Cotton Day 2025 – Cotton, the Fabric of Our Lives
06/10/2025
Farmed, weaved and brought to us in diverse forms, cotton is the world's most widely used natural fibre.
Honouring women around the world, from crop to cup
23/05/2024
Tea is more than a commodity, it’s a culture, a way of life. A universal symbol of comfort and good health. Much more than a beverage, tea generates employment and income worldwide, enriching the livelihoods of millions of people, empowering whole communities to thrive over generations, and providing stability in an ever-changing world.
Spread the Word
#WomeninAgrifoodTrade or #YearoftheWomanFarmer
Upcoming events
Hybrid Event, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Italy)
Opening Ceremony of the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) 2026
04/12/2025
Join us on 4 December 2025 from 12:30 to 14:00 for the Opening Ceremony of the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF)...
Find out more about women in agrifood systems:
- FAO Gender
- FAO Markets and Trade | Gender
- The status of women in agrifood systems
- Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment at FAO
- Commit to Grow Equality
- Gender-Lex
Related links
- Commodity on Commodity Problems (CCP)
- Intergovernmental Groups (IGGs)
- World Cotton Day
- International Tea Day
- World Banana Forum
Contact: