Islamabad- Pakistan is an agrarian economy where 60- 70% population’s livelihoods depend on the agriculture sector[1]. In addition, it contributes 19.2 percent to the GDP and provides employment to around 38.5 percent of the labor force which accounts 67% of women and girls. Despite the significant role that women play in agriculture, women farmers continue to face gender discriminations in all spheres. In addition they have limited access to productive resources. The women farmers working in fields, plantations, greenhouses or packing houses, mostly as part of the informal sector lack a secure contractual employment putting them at a greater risk of protection issues. Protection is an important concern for women especially women farmers working in agriculture and allied sectors. Women are many a times exposed to harassment and abuse by fellow men farmers, supervisors, village people, landlords, local justice system committees like panchait, etc. Although data on various instances of women facing protection issues in agribusinesses in Pakistan is limited.
On account of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence in 2021, FAO’s Pakistan under Technical Cooperation Program (TCP) of Strengthening Food Systems, a protection research study will be undertaken with its partner organization PODA (Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy) to understand the situation of protection issues and gender based violence faced by women farmers while performing on the farm and off farm activities such as accessing market, services and overall work dynamics in Pakistan. This research study would be remarkable in the context of Pakistan as this will identify gaps in the existing policies, legislation and local protection/justice systems followed by development of a protection strategy recommendations for ensuring women farmers safety and security. This study will help women farmers in reaching their full potential within the food and agriculture system and in improving their livelihoods and nutrition security. The study findings will also contribute to the emergency and resilience strategy of the government, ensuring safe guards for women in agriculture and overall development.