The challenge
The denial of women’s human rights is one of the major causes of poverty and food insecurity. Women still earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by men in agriculture, and the gender gap in land productivity between female- and male-managed farms of the same size is of 24 percent (FAO 2023). Despite notable progress, gender inequalities persist, and women and girls remain disproportionately affected by crises, shocks and climate change.
The opportunity
Closing the gender gap in agrifood systems could reduce the number of food-insecure people by 45 million (FAO 2023), contributing to economic growth and the achievement of zero hunger. The Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment in the Context of Food Security and Nutrition (VG-GEWGE) provide concrete recommendations to tackle gender-based discrimination and harmful social norms to achieve gender equality. Implementing the guidelines is a key opportunity for real change.
