The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently unveiled a report – “The Status Of Women In Agri-food Systems,” creating waves of conversation around the globe. The report emphasizes the significance of gender equality in the agricultural sector.
The Key Findings in FAO’s Report
The FAO report sheds light on some noteworthy aspects. First, women comprise a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, nearly 40% globally. However, they often face gender-specific hurdles that limit their access to resources, technology, and markets. These barriers negatively affect their productivity and income.
Surprisingly, despite advancements that have allowed women increased access to resources like digital technology and financial services, the gaps haven’t changed significantly. For rural women, these gaps may have even grown. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue as it increased the gap between men and women’s food security by 4.3%.
Additional Challenges Encountered
Women and girls face unique difficulties due to rigid gender norms, unequal power dynamics, and discriminatory social structures. On top of these barriers, the report highlights additional pressures triggered by climate change, economic instability, conflicts, and the increasing risks of gender-based violence.
Even though agri-food systems play a major part in women’s livelihoods and family well-being, women’s roles are marginalized. Their working conditions often fall short compared to men’s, being irregular, informal, part-time, low-skilled, labor-intensive, and thus vulnerable.
Recommendations in the Report
The FAO’s report suggests that closing the gender gap in agri-food systems could elevate agricultural productivity by up to 4% in developing countries. This increase could boost global GDP by up to 2%, helping reduce poverty, improve food security, and advance nutrition.
Furthermore, empowering women and achieving gender parity could potentially increase the global GDP by 1% or nearly USD 1 trillion. Gender equality in agri-food systems is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 and SDG 5, aiming to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and empower all women and girls.
Policies and programs that promote gender equality and empower women in agriculture are necessary. Women require greater access and control over resources such as livestock, water, seeds, land, technology, and finance to foster their livelihoods.
About the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
FAO is a specialist agency of the United Nations leading international efforts against hunger. Every year on October 16th, World Food Day is celebrated to commemorate FAO’s founding in 1945. Headquartered in Rome, Italy, FAO operates alongside its sister bodies, the World Food Programme, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
This organization has initiated significant projects such as Globally Significant Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) and monitoring of the global Desert Locust situation. It is also responsible for the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme via it’s Codex Alimentarius Commission or CAC.
FAO’s flagship publications include The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), The State of the World’s Forests (SOFO), The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI), The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA), and The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO).