Agrifood systems are a major employer of women globally and constitute a more important source of livelihood for women than for men in many countries.
The FAO report on the Status of Women in Agrifood Systems— the first of its kind since 2010-11 https://www.fao.org/publications/sofa/2010-11/en/— provides the latest data, lessons learned and recommendations for policy and decision makers about gender in agrifood systems.
The study examines the challenges and opportunities that women face in the economic and social processes of agrifood systems and evaluates progress made in closing gender gaps.
The report also provides compelling examples of policies and programmes that have worked, as well as specific recommendations about how to do more, and better.
The report also contains:
• Statistical highlights on women in agrifood systems
• An analysis of the multiple sources of inequality for rural women
• Details of how women’s equal participation in agrifood systems is crucial to the global economy and reducing world hunger.
High-level launch event

The launch of the report will take the form of a virtual and in-person event on 13 April 2023, from 14.00 (CEST) in Rome.
The event will provide an opportunity for high-level stakeholders to share insights from their own work on empowering women in agrifood systems.

Speakers include:

• QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO
• Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia (to be confirmed)
• Xiomara Castro, President of the Republic of Honduras (video message)
• Josefa Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment
• Dan Ericsson, State Secretary to the Minister of Rural Affairs, Sweden
• Reema Nanavaty, Director, Self Employed Women's Association, India
• Agnes Quisumbing, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute
• Naila Kabeer, Professor of Gender and Development, London School of Economics
• Kathleen Beegle, Lead Economist, World Bank Development Research Group
• Lauren Phillips, Deputy Director, Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, FAO
• Benjamin Davis, Director, Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, FAO
• Máximo Torrero, Chief Economist, FAO

Follow the event

The launch will also be streamed on the FAO webcast platform here http://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6134/icode/ and can be followed on social media using the hashtag #LetsGrowEquality, #AFS4Women.

It is also possible to register for the virtual Zoom event here https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CNWJDwJmTE-64jpTGwApxg.

Journalists may also request one-on-one interviews with FAO experts either in advance under embargo or on the day.

Note for American Journalists: The findings of the report will also be presented on 17 April at 2.30 pm (EST) in Washington DC, United States, in a virtual and in-person event https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_95SChGm0RASLcQzS-AqUuQ.

The presentation will be followed by remarks and discussions among senior leadership from U.S. government agencies on the importance of fostering women’s equality, empowering women and girls, and closing the gender gap in agrifood systems.
RESOURCES

FAO’s work on Gender Equality https://www.fao.org/gender/en
FAO Policy on Gender Equality 2020-2030 https://www.fao.org/publications/card/en/c/CB1583EN/