2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a pivotal moment for women’s rights globally. While the Declaration has undeniably propelled women’s empowerment across numerous nations, the journey toward gender equality in agriculture remains unfinished. Empowering women in agriculture is not merely a matter of fairness; it’s a critical step toward achieving broader sustainable development goals related to food security, poverty reduction, and economic growth (Franco et al., 2019). By dismantling the systemic barriers that hold women back and investing in their potential, we can unlock significant benefits for individuals, communities, and the agricultural sector.
A critical question arises: How can we ensure that development interventions truly empower women in agriculture? Smallholder farming faces persistent challenges, particularly in the global South, where women comprise a substantial portion of the workforce. These include land ownership insecurity, limited access to credit and financing, inadequate extension services, and restricted access to essential inputs and equipment (Parks et al., 2014). These barriers disproportionately impact women and youth (Lengewa et al., 2024). Furthermore, social and cultural norms often exacerbate these systemic barriers, further limiting women’s productivity and participation in agricultural development (Quisumbing & Doss, 2021). These barriers are particularly pronounced in the rice sector, where women play a crucial role in cultivation, harvesting, and processing. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach that considers women’s specific needs and constraints in different contexts (Parks et al., 2014).
Achieving gender equality necessitates a profound understanding of the intersectional dimensions of gender disparities. It requires adopting gender-intentional approaches in research and development. This means moving beyond simply including women in projects and actively working to transform gender power dynamics (Doss, 2017). Gender-based challenges intricately affect food security, nutrition, and income equality, demanding a concerted effort to dismantle these barriers and achieve holistic and equitable development (Babugura, 2020). Interventions should focus on giving women equal access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making power. Moreover, addressing social norms and cultural practices that limit women’s participation in agriculture requires effective social and behavior change communication strategies (Lengewa et al., 2024; Otieno et al., 2024).
As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, let us reaffirm our commitment to cultivating a more inclusive and equitable agrifood system where women participate and thrive. By investing in women’s empowerment, we invest in a sustainable future for all. Gender-based challenges and foster inclusive development in agriculture must be acknowledged, and development programs must address the influence of gender relations on program outcomes. Integrating gender-sensitive approaches into research, training, and resource access empowers women to participate fully and benefit from agricultural development through and by focusing on actionable strategies:
Focus on Transforming Power Dynamics: Research must not only document gender inequalities and challenges in agriculture but also identify strategies to challenge and transform unequal power relations. This requires addressing the root causes of gender-based barriers and exploring pathways towards empowerment. Research must incorporate a gender lens, considering women’s needs and constraints in different contexts (Carr, 2008; Søraa et al., 2019). Policy reforms and targeted interventions are needed to address gender-based discrimination in land ownership and inheritance laws.
Building Local Capacity: Strengthening the research capacity of women and marginalized groups empowers them to examine the issues, propose solutions, and advocate for their needs. This participatory approach promotes local ownership and the sustainability of research initiatives and ensures that research reflects their lived realities and priorities. Investing in training programs tailored to women’s needs equips them with the knowledge and skills to adopt modern agricultural practices, enhance productivity, and improve market access (Lengewa et al., 2024).
Engaging the Next Generation: Enabling the younger generation of women to become catalysts for change in science, technology, and social transformation is essential for driving innovation and progress in agriculture. Young women in STEM can challenge existing social norms and pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable agricultural sector by pursuing education and careers in agricultural sciences, advocating for gender equality in research and development, and developing innovative solutions that address the specific challenges faced by women farmers. By embracing technology and innovation, young women can drive transformative change in agriculture and contribute to building a more food-secure and equitable world (Babugura, 2020).
Prioritizing Gender Equality in Development Programs: Agricultural development programs must prioritize gender equality to ensure women have equal access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making power. This involves integrating gender-sensitive approaches throughout the program cycle, such as ensuring equitable access to essential resources like land, credit, and improved seed varieties (Otieno et al., 2024); addressing social norms and cultural practices that limit women’s participation in agriculture through social and behavior change communication strategies (Lengewa et al., 2024); and track progress towards gender equality using gender-disaggregated data and incorporate lessons learned into future program design.
Empowering women in agriculture unlocks their potential to drive economic growth, improve food security, and build more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems. By integrating these principles into research for development, we can move beyond simply studying gender inequalities to actively create solutions that empower women, challenge discrimination, and promote inclusive and sustainable development.
