The Urgency of Investing in Gender Equality for Economic Growth
Investing in gender equality and women's empowerment is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic move to drive economic growth, food security, and overall well-being. Tomorrow, on International Women's Day, leaders at the United Nations agriculture and food agencies will emphasize the importance of this investment at the event - Invest in Women: accelerate progress.
Investing in gender equality and women's empowerment is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic move to drive economic growth, food security, and overall well-being. Tomorrow, on International Women's Day, leaders at the United Nations agriculture and food agencies will emphasize the importance of this investment at the event - Invest in Women: accelerate progress.
Closing the Gender Gaps for Economic Boost
Closing gender gaps in farm productivity and wages within agrifood systems could potentially boost the global domestic product by 1 percent, equivalent to nearly US$1 trillion. This increase could also lead to a decrease in global food insecurity levels, ensuring that 45 million more people have access to food security, as outlined in the 2023 FAO report on the status of women in agrifood systems.
Empowering Women for Sustainable Development
Gerardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), highlights the significance of investing in women for sustainable development. She emphasizes that the return on investment goes beyond poverty alleviation to building stronger institutions, economies, and communities.
Addressing the Gender Gap in Financing
Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), underscores the critical need to address the gender gap in financing for inclusive and equitable rural development. By empowering women in rural economies and agrifood systems, significant benefits can be realized for households and communities.
Empowering Communities Through Women
Valerie Guarnieri, Assistant Executive Director of Programme Operations at the World Food Programme (WFP), emphasizes that investing in women and girls nurtures entire communities. By supporting and empowering women, we can combat hunger and malnutrition effectively.
Bridging the Funding Gap for Gender Equality
Only four percent of total bilateral aid is currently allocated to programs with gender equality as the principal objective, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). There is a significant funding gap of about US$360 billion annually in 48 developing countries to achieve gender equality and support women's equal participation in societies by 2030.
The Vital Role of Women in Agrifood Systems
Women play a crucial role in agrifood systems globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia, a significant percentage of women's employment is within agrifood systems. Despite their essential contribution to food security, women face discriminatory social norms that leave them vulnerable to hunger and poverty.
Addressing Gender Disparity in Rural Areas
Women in rural areas experience limited access to assets and agricultural inputs, resulting in a productivity gender gap. Women earn 18.4 percent less in wage employment in agriculture compared to men. Additionally, climate-related challenges like heatwaves and floods disproportionately affect rural women, exacerbating income disparities.
The Call to Action for Gender Equality
The Rome-based United Nations agriculture and food agencies advocate for strong political commitment and increased investments in gender equality and women's empowerment to enhance food security, livelihoods, and overall well-being. By investing in education, leadership development, and addressing discriminatory social norms, we can bridge the gender gap and empower women and girls.
Advancing Gender Equality Globally
In collaboration with IFAD and WFP, FAO plans to launch a major global initiative for gender equality and women's empowerment at the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. This initiative aims to leverage existing momentum from key reports and guidelines to drive meaningful change in agricultural and rural development projects.
Spearheading Gender-Transformative Approaches
The Rome-based agencies are leading gender-transformative approaches in agricultural and rural development projects to challenge gender norms, power dynamics, and decision-making processes. Through joint programs focused on gender equality and women's empowerment, these agencies aim to secure rural women's livelihoods, rights, and resilience.
Take Action for Gender Equality
- FAO Gender Initiatives
- IFAD Empowering Rural Women
- WFP Gender Equality Programs
- Watch Live: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress
Investing in gender equality is not just a moral obligation but a strategic choice for economic growth and sustainable development. By empowering women and closing gender gaps, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous world for all. Let's take action today for a brighter and more equitable future.
Hey there, I'm Mohamed Rahat, your go-to writer for all things business and economy. Originally from Mumbai, now rocking it in Navi Mumbai. With a past life at Tata Power Co. Ltd., I'm here to unravel the mysteries of the economic world, one article at a time. Stick around for some mind-bending insights! Connect With Me