2023-07-04-UNDP-妇女是绿色农业和减少性别不平等的变革推动者_11页_445kb

Summary of UNDP Global Policy Network Brief: Women as Agents of Change for Greening Agriculture and Reducing Gender Inequality

Core Content

This policy brief underscores the critical role women play in agriculture and highlights the potential of empowering them to adopt climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices as a means to enhance agricultural productivity, food security, and reduce gender inequality in Pakistan. It identifies key barriers that prevent women from fully participating in and benefiting from CSA and proposes actionable strategies to address these challenges.

Main Points

• Women's Role in Agriculture: Women are central to agricultural productivity in Pakistan, contributing significantly to food production and security. They are involved in various farming activities and possess indigenous agricultural knowledge. Women account for about 68% of total employed women in the agriculture sector and make up nearly half of the agricultural workforce.

• CSA as a Solution: Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a key strategy for greening agriculture and improving climate resilience. It includes sustainable resource use, enhancing profitability, and reducing environmental impact. Evidence from international and national studies shows that CSA can increase agricultural productivity and improve household welfare.

• Gender Barriers in CSA Adoption: Despite the potential of CSA, women in Pakistan face several gender-specific challenges in accessing and adopting these practices:

  • Limited Access to Extension Services: Women often lack access to agriculture extension services (AES), which are primarily available to men.
  • Low Literacy and Digital Access: Women have lower literacy rates and less access to mobile phones and the Internet, hindering their ability to receive and process agricultural information.
  • Social and Cultural Restrictions: Practices like pardah (veil) and limited participation in training sessions restrict women's engagement in agricultural activities.
  • Land Ownership and Control: Women have limited land ownership and control, which hampers their ability to implement CSA practices.
  • Inequitable Access to Finance: Women face barriers in accessing credit and financial services, limiting their capacity to invest in innovative practices.
  • Time Constraints: Women bear the burden of unpaid care work, which restricts their availability for training and skill development.

Key Recommendations

• Gender Analysis and Data Collection: Collect gender-disaggregated data and conduct gender analysis to understand power dynamics and resource allocation within households and communities. This will help in designing more effective and inclusive CSA programs.

• Inclusive Agriculture Extension Services: Strengthen government capacities to deliver gender-sensitive agriculture extension services by:

  • Hiring more women agricultural officers.
  • Establishing gender focal desks within agriculture departments.
  • Training extension staff on gender inclusivity.
  • Setting up child-care facilities during training sessions.
  • Translating training materials into local languages.
  • Involving women in the planning and scheduling of extension activities.

• Policy Reform and Legal Changes: Reform policies and laws that discriminate against women's land rights, including ownership, inheritance, and land tenure. Develop gender-mainstreaming policies and gender action plans for agriculture-related initiatives.

• Advocacy and Outreach: Promote CSA and women's empowerment through awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts. This will ensure policy implementation, accountability, and increased participation of women in agricultural development.

Conclusion

Empowering women in agriculture through the removal of gender barriers and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture practices can lead to improved agricultural productivity, increased food security, and a reduction in gender inequality. This approach not only benefits the agricultural sector but also enhances women's agency and social standing, making it a dual win for sustainable development and gender equity.