The gender gap in agrifood systems has long been an overlooked barrier to global food security and economic growth. Yet, closing this gap could be one of the most effective pathways towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), addressing gender inequality in agriculture could reduce world hunger, raise incomes for hundreds of millions, and contribute a staggering $1 trillion to the global economy.

To drive this change, FAO has launched the Commit to Grow Equality (CGE) initiative, a comprehensive mechanism that aims to accelerate gender equality in agrifood systems. Through financing, investments, and partnerships, CGE is set to empower 54 million women worldwide by aligning $1 billion in resources to promote gender-transformative policies and projects.

A cornerstone of the initiative is the Commitments Matrix, designed to help governments, businesses, and organizations articulate specific, measurable actions that will have a tangible impact on the lives of women in agrifood. These commitments include addressing wage disparities, increasing procurement from women-led businesses, expanding access to childcare and technology, and fostering gender parity in leadership roles across the agrifood sector.

FAO is taking a leadership role in driving gender-transformative change, committing to track gender-specific actions across its projects, promote the uptake of critical gender guidelines in 10 countries, and launch a gender-focused data platform in FAOSTAT by 2026. These steps align with the organization’s broader goal of achieving food security and economic resilience through greater gender equality.

• By tackling the structural barriers faced by women in agrifood systems, the Commit to Grow Equality initiative holds the potential to uplift not only women but entire communities, creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Explore how FAO is reshaping the future of agriculture through gender equality.

Source – FAO