Empowering women farmers is essential for improving food security and strengthening communities in Asia and the Pacific. Women play a critical role in agriculture, with nearly 58% of employed women in the region working in this sector. However, they often face significant challenges.
According to Alue Dohong from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women earn only about 82 cents for every dollar their male counterparts make. This wage gap is just one of many barriers. Moreover, only 10-20% of women have rights to the land they cultivate, which limits their ability to access credit and make long-term investments. Without ownership, they struggle to benefit fully from the systems they support every day.
Dohong emphasizes that addressing these inequalities is not just fair—it’s crucial for tackling big issues like food insecurity and climate change. “We cannot meaningfully progress on these challenges while leaving women behind,” he said.
Recent studies indicate that closing these gaps could significantly boost global GDP by as much as $1 trillion and lift around 45 million people from food insecurity. Beyond economic benefits, improved gender equality also enhances household resilience against climate change and propels progress toward global development goals.
The United Nations plans to make 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. This initiative aims to promote transformative actions that confront the root causes of inequality. Demonstrations from countries like Cambodia and Nepal show that community-driven programs can shift outdated norms and improve conditions for women farmers.
Dohong is optimistic about this direction: “These efforts are not isolated. They show what’s possible. We must support and learn from these examples.”
As we approach the International Year of the Woman Farmer, there’s a real chance to create lasting change. By ensuring that women farmers have equal access to resources, training, and market information, we can enhance their livelihoods and elevate their leadership in agrifood systems. The commitment to this issue must be collective, involving governments, NGOs, and the private sector to achieve meaningful results.
For a deeper look into gender equity in agriculture, you can read more on the FAO’s initiatives here.
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