What's Happening?
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has initiated the 'International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026', a campaign aimed at recognizing the critical yet often overlooked contributions
of women in global agrifood systems. This initiative seeks to address persistent gender disparities by promoting policy reforms and investments that empower women and build more resilient agrifood systems. Women constitute a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, making up 40% globally, yet they face systemic barriers such as limited access to land, finance, and decision-making roles. In Pakistan, 74% of working women are engaged in agriculture, contributing significantly to household income, but their roles are undervalued and their working conditions precarious. The FAO, in collaboration with other UN agencies, will coordinate activities throughout 2026 to highlight these issues and drive change.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is crucial as it addresses the systemic barriers that women in agriculture face, which include limited access to resources and decision-making roles. By recognizing and valuing the contributions of women farmers, the campaign aims to close gender gaps and improve the livelihoods of women in agriculture. This could lead to increased productivity and sustainability in agrifood systems, benefiting not only women but also the broader economy. The initiative also highlights the need for policy reforms to ensure wage parity and access to resources for women farmers, which could have significant implications for gender equality and economic development.
What's Next?
The FAO, along with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP), will coordinate activities throughout 2026 to promote gender equality in agriculture. This includes advocating for policy changes at both federal and provincial levels to recognize women as farmers and ensure they receive fair wages and access to resources. The initiative will also focus on providing land and input subsidies to landless rural women farmers, aiming to support sustainable livelihoods and empower women in the agricultural sector.
