WOMEN AS KEY AGENTS OF CHANGE TO AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NUTRITION...
Dr. Mona S. Chaya, Deputy Strategic Programme Leader for Sustainable Agriculture at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), evaluates how empowering women can improve agricultural practices, nutrition and food systems. With women comprising around 45 per cent of the agricultural labour force in developing countries, their contribution is vital. Yet, they earn significantly less than men as they do not have the same level of access to productive resources and opportunities. This gender gap is found across many assets, inputs and services such as land, livestock, labour, education, extension, information, financial services, and technology. Women are also under-represented in local institutions and governance mechanisms, and thus have fewer opportunities to influence relevant decision-making processes. This ‘gender gap’ not affects only women’s well-being, but the performance of the entire agriculture sector, as well as the broader economy. In crisis times,...