WUNRN

http://www.wunrn.com

 

WOMEN & FOOD - AGRICULTURE - FOOD SECURITY - FOOD SOVEREIGNTY - LAND - RIGHT TO FOOD - NUTRITION - HUNGER - POVERTY - RESOURCES

 

http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3107e/i3107e00.htm

 

FAO Statistical Yearbook 2013

 

FAO Statistical Yearbook 2013

World food and agriculture

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS



Rome 2013

 

 

In many poor developing countries, primary activities such as agriculture still constitute the backbone of the economy. However, the sector often faces many challenges. A profound and prolonged lack of investment in agriculture is evident in many countries. Notably, infrastructure is missing or weak in rural areas, agricultural productivity is stagnant, and lack of opportunities for income diversification combines with poorly functioning markets to undermine economic growth.

There is often a gender divide. Although women make significant contributions to the rural economy, they often have less access to productive resources than men, and families often rely on children’s work for survival.

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FAO - WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE: CLOSING THE GENDER GAP FOR DEVELOPMENT

Women make significant contributions to the rural economy in all developing country regions. Their roles differ across regions, yet they consistently have less access than men to the resources and opportunities they need to be more productive. Increasing women’s access to land, livestock, education, financial services, extension, technology and rural employment would boost their productivity and generate gains in terms of agricultural production, food security, economic growth and social welfare. Closing the gender gap in agricultural inputs alone could lift 100–150 million people out of hunger.
No blueprint exists for closing the gender gap, but some basic principles are universal: governments, the international community and civil society should work together to eliminate discrimination under the law, to promote equal access to resources and opportunities, to ensure that agricultural policies and programmes are gender-aware, and to make women’s voices heard as equal partners for sustainable development. Achieving gender equality and empowering women in agriculture is not only the right thing to do. It is also crucial for agricultural development and food security.

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