Gender

Context

On the one hand, food systems are a major source of livelihood for women, employing up to 70% of the female workforce in some countries, while on the other the gender gap in food security has been steadily increasing over the years. Women play a central role in food production, processing, and nutrition, yet often face unequal access to resources, training, and decision-making. Gender equality and women’s empowerment are as such central to SDC. Reducing social and gender inequalities throughout food systems is therefore a priority, be that by improving women’s rights, the control of and access to natural resources, education, inputs and financial services, or ensuring the participation in decision-making. FAO estimates that closing the gender gap in farm productivity and wages could boost global GDP by about 1%, and reduce global food insecurity by about 45 million people. Women’s empowerment is therefore not only a moral and rights issue but also a strategic economic investment for sustainable, resilient food systems, recognising them not only as beneficiaries but as key agents of change.

• Family farming and women

  Women play a central role in family farming, contributing significantly to agricultural production, livestock management, food processing, and local markets, while also carrying primary responsibility for household food preparation and care. Their involvement is crucial for household food and nutrition security, directly influencing dietary diversity, food safety, and child nutrition. Evidence shows that when women have greater control over resources and decisions, households experience improved nutrition, health, and education outcomes.

  Beyond food security, women farmers contribute substantially to rural economies through food production, processing, and marketing, particularly in local and informal markets. Their income-generating activities enhance household purchasing power, reduce vulnerability to shocks, and support reinvestment in agriculture and family well-being, while broader economic gains remain constrained by unequal access to land, finance, and markets.

  Recognising this, a range of support modalities can be pursued, tailored to the specific needs and capacities of the communities involved and informed by a broader understanding of enabling and constraining factors in their environments:

  • strengthen women’s land and resource rights, their access to quality inputs, credit, climate and extension services, and to appropriate technologies.
  • encourage women’s economic empowerment and market participation, by inter alia providing targeted support to women-led enterprises, cooperatives, and value addition (processing, storage, marketing), while improving their access to markets, finance, and fair prices.
  • invest in labour-saving technologies, rural services (water, energy, childcare), and gender-transformative approaches that address unpaid care work and discriminatory norms.

Key Resources

Thematic Integration Brief – Food systems & Gender (upcoming)
Knowledge Hub, SDC A&FS Network

Women's economic empowerment
SDC Education & Economy Network

Voluntary guidelines on gender equality and women's and girls' empowerment in the context of food security and nutrition
Committee on World Food Security (CFS), 2024

The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems
FAO, 2023

Changing Lives – Gender
World Food Programme, 2023

Gender Equality and Food systems
European Commission, Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security, 2025

Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Gender and inclusive food systems and value chains
Guiding framework: Developing gender-sensitive value chains
FAO

News related to gender