FAO Kenya launches Status of Women in Agrifood Systems report

According to the reportsocial norms and roles are stumbling blocks on their entry into agrifood value chains and agro-business which are dominated by men. The resultant inequalities create a significant gap that needs to be addressed for women to utilize their full potential in agrifood systems. Closing the gender gap in farm productivity and the wage gap in agrifood-system employment can increase global gross domestic product, reduce global food insecurity   including poverty and inequality the report asserts.

The event attracted participants from the Government of Kenya Ministries and State Departments, UN Women, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), the Council of Governors, African Women Studies Research Centre - University of Nairobi, women farmers from three counties and other stakeholders.

“At FAO we are already working towards filling this gender gap highlighted in this report. As a norm we mainstream in all our programming and intervention in a way to address the enormous gaps identified by the report so that no one nowhere is left behind particularly women and girls. Examples include our jointly implemented project with UN women and the counties of West Pokot, Laikipia and Kitui on Climate Smart Agriculture Project for Women Economic Empowerment.  In collaboration with EU and the government of Kenya FAO through the Digital Land Governance project are working to increase women access to land and thus agricultural productivity and further contributing to women empowerment.” Said Carla Mucavi the FAO representative to Kenya.