Advancing gender equality and agrifood systems: what's working?

Advancing gender equality and agrifood systems: what’s working?

The briefing identifies three main categories of constraints impacting gender equality within agrifood systems: structural barriers, land tenure, and resource access. Through case studies from Guatemala, Indonesia, and Kenya, it explores initiatives aimed at addressing these issues. The insights gleaned from these studies offer valuable lessons to understand what has worked to drive changes in behavior and practice.

Key messages

Gender disparity in agriculture: Women constitute a significant portion of the agrifood workforce globally, yet they face undervaluation and earn less compared to men. Structural barriers like discriminatory norms limit their participation.
Barriers to participation: discriminatory social norms and legal frameworks hinder women’s access to resources and opportunities in agrifood systems, affecting their welfare and household outcomes.
Empowerment yields multiple benefits: Closing gender gaps in agrifood systems can alleviate hunger, boost incomes, and enhance community resilience. Understanding effective strategies is crucial for advancing gender equality and reaping these benefits.

Author:

Publisher: International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance (ISEAL), Evidensia, The Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program (FOLUR), Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Language: English

Year: 2024

Ecosystem(s): Agricultural Land

Location(s): Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya

agriculture agrifood systems food systems gender land tenure value chains women

This publication is focused on value chains in support of the work of the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program (FOLUR), with funding from the Global Environment Facility.