FAO Report Highlights Inequalities Constraining Female Participation in Agri-Food Systems

In a recent report titled "The status of women in agri-food systems," issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), findings reveal that various sources of inequality are constraining female participation, well-being, and empowerment in agri-food systems.

Agri-food systems, which are major employers globally, play a crucial role in the livelihoods of females, often more so than for males in many countries. Despite this, the report points out that females in these systems often face marginalized roles and worse working conditions than their male counterparts, experiencing irregular, informal, part-time, low-skilled, and labor-intensive work, rendering them vulnerable.

The report underscores that multiple sources of inequality contribute to this situation, limiting female access to resources such as land, inputs, services, finance, and digital technology. Additionally, discriminatory social norms and rules impact females' coping mechanisms and resilience, making them more susceptible to the negative impacts of shocks and crises in agri-food systems.

Gender Disparities in Agri-Food Systems

The report's analysis reveals persistent gender gaps in access to irrigation, with males predominantly making major decisions on crop choices and income use from irrigated crops in various countries. The gender gap extends to ownership or secure tenure rights over agricultural land, with males having greater access in 40 out of 46 countries reported in the Sustainable Development Goal Indicator.

Furthermore, the report highlights disparities in access to mobile Internet and bank accounts, emphasizing the need to address these gaps to achieve gender equality. The widening gap in food insecurity between males and females is also noted, from 1.7% in 2019 to 4.3% in 2021.

Economic Impact of Closing Gender Gaps

The report estimates that closing the gender gap in farm productivity and the wage gap in agri-food-system employment could increase the global gross domestic product (GDP) by 1%, nearly $1 trillion, and reduce global food insecurity by about 2%, benefiting 45 million people.

Challenges and Opportunities in Achieving Gender Equality

The FAO report underscores that despite progress in recognizing females' crucial roles in agri-food systems, the formulation and implementation of policies and investments remain weak. Females' access to vital resources such as land, water, technology, services, and finance continues to lag behind males, reflecting the persistence of deep-rooted gender inequalities.

The analysis further emphasizes that achieving gender equality requires a multifaceted approach, addressing not only economic disparities but also discriminatory social norms and rules. The report advocates for empowering females by increasing their agency, which involves enhancing their ability to make choices and exercise them effectively. Key resources identified for empowerment in agri-food systems include land, water, technology, services, finance, education, extension and training opportunities, group participation, and networks.

Strategies for Gender Equality in Agri-Food Systems

The report suggests three main elements for programs aimed at achieving gender equality in agri-food systems:

·         Data Collection and Research: High-quality, disaggregated data is deemed essential for effective monitoring and evaluation of gender equality progress. Rigorous qualitative and quantitative gender research is paramount to understanding what works and under what conditions to build more inclusive agri-food systems.

·         Localized Interventions: Scaling up interventions that have been proven to address multiple inequalities and empower females in agri-food systems is crucial. The report highlights the need for careful consideration of the local context, emphasizing that scaling up can occur through policy pathways, increased investment, or uptake by public- and private-sector actors.

·         Transformative Approaches: Interventions must be designed to close gender inequalities and empower females. Transformative approaches at the community and national levels are recommended to address discriminatory gender norms and attitudes. Engaging with power holders, including local leaders and customary authorities, as well as involving men and boys, is identified as key to shifting discriminatory norms and constraining policies.

 Conclusion and Call to Action

In conclusion, the FAO report calls for urgent and intentional efforts to address the existing inequalities that hinder female participation, well-being, and empowerment in agri-food systems. Achieving gender equality is not only a matter of economic justice but also essential for building more just and sustainable agri-food systems globally.

The report serves as a crucial resource for policymakers, development practitioners, and stakeholders in shaping policies and programs that intentionally tackle the multifaceted challenges faced by females in agri-food systems. By closing gender gaps and empowering females, not only can we enhance individual well-being, but we can also contribute to global economic growth, reduce food insecurity, and create a more equitable and resilient future for all.