Gender and Agroecology Webinar “Boosting the potential of women farmers as protagonist of agroecological experiences: stories from the field.”
Virtual Event, 05/07/2023
Throughout production systems, the social, cultural, and power differences determine the roles women and men play in society, their tasks and degree of influence over decision-making and planning. This gender power imbalance has several consequences for society in terms of gender inequality, especially in rural areas: women earn less income than men, have less access to land and production inputs, take on more domestic work, have less autonomy, and are more vulnerable to violence.
Evidence show that women are as involved as men also in agroecological experiences, but there is a lack of recognition of their protagonism in policies and programs for the sector. Women have knowledge and experience, practical and strategic skills, and should be encouraged more to speak out about their needs and proposals, individually or collectively.
Recognizing and integrating a gender-transformative approach in policies to promote agroecology can increase equality between women and men and realize the full potential of women to achieve food security, overcome rural poverty, combat biodiversity loss, and promote sustainable natural resource management.
This webinar is part of the Plant Production and Protection Division's (NSP) Gender Action Plan for 2023-2027, which aims to better integrate gender into the division's work. It has been organized together with the Gender Team of the Division of Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality (ESP), and aims to show, with some examples from around the world, how some methodologies can contribute to make visible the potential of women in agroecological experiments. The webinar will also present a proposal on how to better integrate women's needs in an agroecology training program.
Check all FAO's Publications on gender
Objectives of the webinar
- raise awareness of the contribution of women farmers to the development of agroecological experiences;
- present and discuss different methodologies that can generate evidence on this contribution;
- advocate for special attention to women farmers’ needs in training activities on agroecology.
Agenda
| TIME (CEST) | AGENDA ITEM AND PRESENTER |
|---|---|
| 14.00-14.05 | Opening Remarks by Jingyuan Xia, Director, Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |
| 14.05-14.07 | Video entitled “Let’s grow equity (The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems)” |
| 14.07-14.12 | Setting the scene: why is it important to give visibility to women in agroecological experiences by Emma Siliprandi, Agricultural Officer, NSP Gender Focal Point, FAO |
| 14.12-15.00 | Case Showing of Field Experience The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming and the Farmer Field Schools, India by Swati Renduchintala (CIFOR/ICRAF) and Suzanne Phillips (FAO) The Agroecology Logbooks in Brazil by Rodica Weitzman (CPDA/UFRRJ) Initial results from TAPE: what the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) can tell us about Women and Agroecology, by Anne Mottet (IFAD) Training for women on Agroecology: a proposal for the CPLP Training Centre on Sustainable Family Farming, by Joana Dias (ACTUAR). |
| 15.00-15.25 | Q & A Session |
| 15.25-15.30 | Closing Remarks by Lauren Phillips, Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, Deputy-Director |
Moderator: Nadia Correale, Rotterdam Convention Specialist, NSP Gender Focal Point, Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)