The State of Food and Agriculture 2010-11: Women in ... - FAO

THE STATE
OF FOOD
AND
AGRICULTURE
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.
ISBN 978-92-5-106768-0 ISSN 0081-4539
9 7 8 9 2 5 1 0 6 7 6 8 0
I2050E/1/01.11