International Day of Rural Women "Breaking Barriers: Gender Equality, Water and Financial Inclusion in Agrifood Systems in Asia and the Pacific"

Background

FAO’s Status of Women in Agrifood Systems Report, published in 2023, underscores the urgent need to empower women as a pivotal step towards sustainable development, calling for immediate action against gender inequalities. In the Asia and the Pacific region, women play vital roles across food systems, encompassing agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, and livestock. However, their contributions are often overlooked. The FAO report exposes persistent gender-based inequalities within these systems across various dimensions, including water and financial inclusion.

Recognizing the vital role of rural women in food and agriculture, this event organized by the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific aligns with the theme of the International Day of Rural Women 2023, "Financing for Rural Women's Empowerment", as well as with the 2023 World Food Day theme, “Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind”. It emphasizes the nexus between gender equality, water and financial inclusion, aiming to foster change and collaboration for equitable and sustainable agrifood systems.

This event seeks to contribute to the implementation of the Regional Gender Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2025 for Asia and the Pacific. The Regional Gender Strategy and Action Plan emphasizes the need for FAO and its Member Nations in the region to prioritize gender equality as a fundamental element in sustaining future food systems. The webinar serves as a platform for learning and reflection, addressing challenges and opportunities in the quest for gender equality. The event will showcase experiences from the Asia-Pacific region, based on insights gathered from FAO country offices and regional development partners. By doing so, it fosters collaborative efforts to establish equitable, efficient, inclusive, and sustainable agri-food systems, aligning with the regional strategy's goals.

Objectives

• Highlighting Success Stories: Sharing innovative and evidence-based practices, particularly those following Gender Transformative Approaches, that have successfully addressed gender inequalities and empowered women in agrifood systems, with a specific focus on water-related interventions.
• Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitating a dialogue among a range of stakeholders, including government institutions, UN agencies, the private sector, NGOs, civil society, and research institutions, to promote a holistic approach to gender equality in agrifood systems.
• Visibility of FAO's Gender Work in the Region: Showcasing FAO’s contributions and commitment to advancing gender equality in agrifood systems in Asia-Pacific.
• Knowledge Dissemination: Making resources and case studies accessible online for wider dissemination and future reference, thus contributing to a lasting knowledge base.

Speakers:

• Miguel Rafael V. Musngi, Assistant Director/Head of Poverty Eradication and Gender Division, Human Development Directorate, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Department, ASEAN Secretariat
• Sara Duerto Valero, Regional Advisor on Gender Statistics, UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
• Prasun Kumar Das, Secretary General, Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA)
• Emelda Berejena, Technical Advisor, FAO Representation in Pakistan

 

Download Concept Note/Tentative Programme

Register here to join the event - https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T3vCkcByQdCQrw805tH-Ng

 

Related Links:

FAO Gender

FAO’s gender work in Asia and the Pacific