Women’s Equality in Farming Could Add $1 Trillion To World Economy

According to the World Food Programme, the number of people battling hunger this year is more than double what it was in 2020. Severe droughts, export bans, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and pandemic-induced supply-chain bottlenecks have exacerbated the issue.

Eliminating gender discrimination in agriculture might boost the global economy and reduce hunger at a time when a record 345 million people are anticipated to endure extreme food insecurity.

According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) titled "The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems," if the gender gap in farm productivity and wage gap in agrifood systems were closed, the global gross domestic product (GDP) would increase by almost $1 trillion, which is equivalent to a 1% increase. As a result, global food insecurity could be reduced by 2 percentage points, leading to a decrease in the number of food-insecure individuals by 45 million.

"Sustainable and resilient agrifood systems are dependent on closing gaps in generating equality and empowering women," said Lauren M. Phillips, FAO's deputy head of the Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender equity division.

The FAO research recommends policy changes such as raising women's land ownership, enhancing access to childcare, and increasing social safety, all of which can improve employment and resilience.

According to the report, agrifood systems are more crucial for women's livelihoods than men's in many countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, women make up two-thirds of the workforce, while males make up 60%. In southern Asia, 71% are, compared to 47% of men.

In an interview, Phillips stated that improving agrifood systems for women can lead to their transformation into more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient systems. This improvement would not only benefit the well-being of women but also the global economy, household incomes, and household resilience.

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