Rome 6 March 2025, In an age of global instability, women and girls hold the key to stability in rural areas. But deep-rooted discrimination prevents them from building better futures for themselves, their households and their communities. Today, global dynamics are further eroding their rights.
Rural women produce much of the world’s food but own less than a fifth of the land. Women make up the majority of adults without an account at a formal financial institution, and rural people in developing countries are already less likely to be served by financial institutions than urban dwellers. Rural women are also more severely affected by fragility, economic and societal instability and extreme weather – but with less access to credit, lower savings and greater difficulty accessing markets, they lack the safety net to get through difficult times.
Despite their greater vulnerability, women remain overlooked in rural development. Women farmers have far less access to agricultural extension services than men, and only 2 per cent of climate finance takes account of the needs and situations of women and girls.
Yet these worrying figures also contain a seed of hope. By upholding the rights, equality and empowerment of rural women, we can turn vulnerability into opportunity and fragility into resilience.
Empowered women with equitable access to land and resources not only enjoy more prosperity – they also produce more food and build resilient communities. Simply closing the gender gap in agriculture could raise global GDP by around US$1 trillion, increase farm yields by 20-30 per cent and reduce the number of food-insecure people by 45 million.
With improved resilience, women are better able to surmount economic, social and institutional barriers and to seize opportunities for empowerment. They will adapt to shifting socioeconomic conditions and overcome challenges such as limited access to and influence in financial resources, education and decision-making spaces to build sustainable livelihoods.
Enhancing rural women’s financial inclusion, entrepreneurial opportunities and participation in leadership and governance will enable them to build long-term security for themselves, their families and their communities. Empowering women and girls to become more resilient isn’t just a moral imperative. It’s essential for households, communities and economies to thrive in the face of global challenges.
With decades of experience working on rural development at the first mile, IFAD has seen what works to tackle the root causes of disempowerment. To transform societies so that rural women take their rightful place as economic actors, decision-makers and equal partners, we must challenge structural inequalities and advocate for policies and practices that dislodge the power dynamics keeping women marginalized. Here’s where we must start.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्