Foro Global sobre Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (Foro FSN)

Dear authors of the Zero Draft of the Guidelines,

I would like to thank you for providing the opportunity to share my thoughts on the Zero Draft of the Guidelines.

The Zero Draft appropriately captures the actual challenges to achieve gender equality and the full realization of women’s and girls’ rights in the context of food security and nutrition. Personally, it was a big pleasure to aware of the initiative, and go further on the parts of the Zero Draft. Within this opportunity I would like to share my thoughts for the Part 3.

In the Part 3, each nine section presents a problem statement, a narrative and the related policy area for discussion. In these nine sections, the importance of the “social norm” dimension of the topic rises reader attention in four different sections (in section 3.1; 3.2; 3.3; 3.4.).

In the food and agriculture sector, particularly in farming profession social and cultural norms has a powerful influence on youth’s behavior in their career choices. 

The influence of social and cultural norms on career choices are often neglected in the design of policy with a clear focus. The policies (that addressed to achieve gender equality and the full realization of women’s and girls’ rights in the context of food security and nutrition) may design to induce changes not only rural regions as well as urban regions. Evidences from recent studies are accumulating, for example:

• Farming profession shows gender disparities in our society (like science, technology, engineering, and math): As highlighted in some country contexts low willingness of young women to become farmer or agri-entrepreneur is explained by cultural norms, because youth understand farming as a male profession.
• Negative rural work-life perception among youth: Youth have chosen not to work in agriculture-related jobs not because they are well-suited to other jobs, but because they believe that a higher quality of life only exists in careers outside the rural community. This perception brings the lack of social and cultural identity problem that requires attention. In some country contexts, the negative rural work-life perception creates sex-selective outmigration and resulting in a shortage of women in some rural areas, culminating in rural masculinity.
• The reputational damage (low prestige) in the agriculture-related jobs need for more effective models of communication to chance the social norms.

At that point my thought is to present this overlapping important dimension of “social norms” in the policy design as a separate section (for example one further additional section) that focus only on the “social and cultural norms” with a problem statement, and the related policy area for discussion. 

This further section may cover the missing points in the social and cultural norms as well as merge the important points that are already mentioned under the four sections (in section 3.1; 3.2; 3.3; 3.4.) of the current draft version. 

What types of policy interventions are most likely to trigger a shift in the social and cultural norms, and  helpful to spread within the society would be worthy to discuss further with clear policy actions. 

For example, the role of digital networks on career construction cannot be denied due to their strong influence on career initiation, and/or career changes (career mobility) for the youth living in urban regions. These tools may use not only for rural youths’ career progress in food security and nutrition (as detailed within section 3.3.4), but also one can use these digital tools to attract educated urban youths to the rural regions (e.g., studied in the back to land movement) with a new career initiative, and/or career change plans in agriculture and farming sectors.

A second example for the policy areas for discussion may include the new social identity that we observe in our society, particularly among young women. Todays’ youth show a high environmental sensibility relative to previous generations. The finding that young women hold more environmental concerns relative to young males is one of the most robust effects in environmental psychology (e.g., pro-environmental behaviors), and political economics (e.g., climate policies) both in developing and developed economies. An online search for “young environmentalists” returns with a high number of young women: Greta Thunberg, Sweden; Luisa Neubauer, Germany and Isra Hirsi, USA. The environmental sensibility of young female would be an avenue to support their sustainable farming and food system practices (as tpointed out within section 3.4) with professional and modern farmer identities.

Thanks for your attention.

I would like to thanks again for the opportunity. 

Kind regards

Dr. İlkay Unay-Gailhard

Researcher

Brief Comments for improvement of  the draft Gender & Agr guidelines

i. Overall comment. Lets’ take care not to support the current food systems, which tend to exclude women, by suggesting these very same kinds of  interventions which may worsen their situations. For example, let’s avoid the tendency top think that commercialisation is what will solve all food security and gender problems! Rather let’s promote circular and solidarity local economies.

ii. 

3.3.2 Access to advisory and extension services

Broaden to include self-education opportunities for learning and exposure to innovation and knowledge. Extension services are only part of the agricultural and food education picture. They are also often promoting agricultural policies that are unhelpful and/or counter to women’s needs.

iii 

3.3.4 Access to appropriate ICT-based, digital and innovative technologies

Radio is still the most accessible technology and yet women do not have adequate access to radio sets and programmes.

Don’t confine this to digital technologies.

iv

Investments in technologies, rural infrastructure, transport and women’s specific activities

(across food systems and along value chains) that support women’s activities, informed by a context analysis that applies a gender lens, and strengthen women’s capacities to DESIGN, DEVELOP and use technologies or methods that reduce their work burden.

Let’s not bury this under ‘economic empowerment’ Give this its own heading area it is not just about economic empowerment. The appropriate tools and equipment gap is much neglected by agriculture and food projects. Funding for equipment development and design by women for women is in dire need of resources.

v. & vi.

84. Problem statement: Women tend to have unsecured land tenure and access, which limits options to sustainably manage and benefit from land. When women do have access to agricultural and, their plots are usually smaller, and of poorer quality than men’s, and often with less secure use rights.

3.5.2 Access to and control over productive resources

Add rights to seeds, to wild flora and fauna and landscapes/catchments.

The draft Voluntary Guidelines builds on essential UN Conventions, Declarations and the Beijing Platform for Action (PFA) 1995 with agreed language on gender equality and women's empowerment and on FAO's relevant policy and technical guidelines on women in agricultural production and food systems and thereby provides a strong focus on main challenges and barriers which has been negotiated throughout decades.

On this background and rationale the draft Voluntary Guidelines intends to provide innovative solutions and seek to include necessary elements for effective implementation and monitoring.

A good example of an innovative solution to take the agreed language and progressive actions further is the use of the complete concept of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right (SRHR) in paragraph 5 and 68. A concept which not yet (26 years after the UN Women's Conference in Beijing) is agreed upon, as shown in the UNGA Resolution A/Res/74/2 Oct. 2019.

An innovative action in that context would therefore be to encourage Government's to integrate SRHR in relevant national policies, strategies and action plans and to adopt changes in respect to gender equality and women's empowerment in national development in general.

Access to and use of cell phones has empowered poor women and girls in several rural communities in many countries with relevant information on food production activities, market prices and early warning systems on weather conditions. At the same time, the cell phone has saved women and girls from travel time at night in often remote areas with the risk of theft, violence and rape.

The cell phone has without any doubt been a milestone in empowerment of women and girls.

One could ask what comes next in digital transformation for empowerment of women and girls?

The draft Voluntary Guidelines could be instrumental in encouraging Government's, NGO's and the tech sector together with community based stakeholders in expanding further digitalisation in public services provision in general and in particular with respect to food production and nutrition. 

The livelihoods of poor, rural, including indigenous, women and girls has been on the development agenda for decades and a giant step needs to be taken in order to realise essential changes.

Gender specific digital transformation which includes and builds on both indigenous knowledge, values and food systems could be a game changer.

Birgit Nimukamba Madsen

Retired Gender Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark

Former Women in Food Systems Officer, FAO HQ, Rome

 

Thanks to the authors and drafting team for providing the Zero Draft of the Guidelines and offering the opportunity to review and comment. 

I find that the Zero Draft of the Guidelines covers a wide range of considerations that intersect with food security and nutrition, setting a very wide stage for attention and action. In fact, it is almost dauntingly wide, ranging from legal rights for property ownership to education to income-generating activities to intra-household division of labor to physical safety and security. 

I struggled while reading, to understand how the guidelines would look if applied. The detailed examples of applying gender quotas for representation or to calculate and monitor the value of uncompensated domestic work are important and illustrative, and additional examples of detailed action steps could be helpful to inform readers. Similarly, is there scope to offer examples where actions have been taken to address gender-based inequalities? Those examples could be useful in convincing the reader that the wide-ranging change that is envisioned within the document can be feasible. 

Thank you again for the opportunity to review and comment. I look forward to see the revised draft in early 2022.

I would suggest greater emphasis on childcare funding and programs in the document, as well as policy and program efforts to engage men in childcare.

Message from the facilitator

The CFS Gender Regional Consultation for Europe and Central Asia took place on 27-28 September. This was the second one of the series of six consultations planned to take place in September-November 2021. This Consultation was also very well attended by around 90 participants and more following the webcast. The plenary discussions saw the contributions of all CFS constituent groups: representatives from governments, UN System, civil society, research institutions, private sector and others, sharing precious information on challenges and potential solutions to align the future CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment in the Context of Food Security and Nutrition with national and regional priorities and needs.

Ms Tanja Grén (Finland) and Mr Tomas Duncan Jurado (Panama), Co-Chairs appointed by the CFS Bureau to facilitate the policy convergence process, presented the Zero Draft of the Guidelines, the main background document for the consultation.

The plenary discussion was inspired by three keynote speakers: H.E. Ms Narbaeva Tanzila Kamalovna [1], Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ms Carin Jämtin, Director General, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and Mr Raimund Jehle, FAO Regional Programme Leader, FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia. They underlined the importance of the CFS future Guidelines and their support to their implementation once agreed by CFS in October 2022.

There was general consensus by participants that the Zero Draft is comprehensive and clear, but many of them identified some additional key challenges and gaps as, among others, the importance of taking a systemic, holistic approach to gender equality and food security – moving away from the siloization of issues – and several calls to be ambitious and aim high in the aspirations of the Guidelines. For example, participants highlighted the need for more reference to gender-responsive budgeting as a policy strategy and for more language on justice in the Guidelines, and for the active engagement of boys and men in gender transformative food security and nutrition interventions, in order to raise awareness and promote changes in behavior. The need to integrate a social norms’ focus in all policy areas was also raised.

On the second day, the plenary discussion dedicated to Part 3 of the Zero Draft started with themes/sections 3.2, 3.3. and 3.5, and then moved to other sections of interest.

On section 3.2, “Elimination of violence and discrimination against women for improved food security and nutrition”, issues and gaps raised by participants included prevention, intersectionality and violence based on sexual orientation. In fact, many participants stressed that the Guidelines need more of an intersectional approach that reflects and embraces diversity, including indigenous and rural women, age, ethnicity, race and disability; and more recognition of gender-based violence in all its forms.

Technical and vocational education and access to financial services were at the center of the discussion on section 3.3: “Access to education, capacity building, training, knowledge and information services”. Some interesting examples to inspire policy areas were presented from Uzbekistan, Belarus and North Macedonia.

With regards to section 3.5, “Access to and control over natural and productive resources”, the main issues raised were around property and land rights, resilience and intersectionality.

The discussions are documented in the Co-Chairs’ Summary available on the dedicated webpage in English, and in Russian in the forthcoming days.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank those who have already contributed to the online consultation, providing us with their insightful feedback. We look forward to receiving further input, which will be crucial in the process of developing the Guidelines.

Views are my own only.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to comment on the draft guidelines. I very much like the fact that gender transformative approaches are one of the core principles of the guidelines and that many of the proposed policy areas for discussion call for changing discriminatory social norms. This is in line with the SIGI report 2019 statement that, “reforms can have limited traction unless cultural, social and religious norms and structures are taken into account”. Please find below my main comment and suggestion.

• Clearly explain that gender equality is beneficial to all, not only women and girls. Gender equality is win-win. It is not a zero-sum game where what is given to a particular group is taken from another. On the contrary. This calls for emphasizing that gender equality and women and girls’ empowerment do not only translate into benefits for themselves and their children, but also for their entire households, communities and societies.
• Promote positive masculinity and give more visibility to positive behaviours that promote gender equality (for example equal distribution of household chores, parenting, etc.). Men and boys, as stressed by the guidelines, have a key role to play for gender equality and women and girls’ empowerment. The promotion of positive masculinity has the potential to significantly contribute to women and girls’ empowerment and to improve the well-being of many, parents and children. See for example the work Promundo is doing on masculinity.
• Think of engaging with non-traditional actors and leaders that held norms and are influential as well as stress the importance of addressing gender inequalities and discriminatory social norms at all levels, including the political, legal, institutional level but not only. That is the individual, household/family, group/community, institutions/organizations and policy/legislation levels.
• In addition to the point above, in order to achieve gender equality, transformation needs to go from individual to systemic change and across informal to formal spheres of life. This, the guidelines should pay attention to the role and influence of the informal sphere of life and informal institutions on people’s daily life as well as on formal institutions.

• Lead by example: Ensure parity at the CFS and UN agencies for the equal representation of women, youth, ethnicity, etc., in line with the EU GAP III (see pillar of action number 4). At the same time, ensure men participate in the discussion and implementation of the guidelines and the work on gender equality and women’s empowerment in general. Gender equality is everybody business and responsibility, not only women.

• Be clearer about the role of the CFS for supporting the implementation and monitoring of the use and application of the voluntary guidelines (part 4 of the guidelines). The current draft only mentions that, “Technical agencies of the UN, bilateral cooperation agencies and other development partners can assist in this regard” when referring to building and capacity strengthening for implementation. The CFS should also provide, when needed, support for the policy formulation and implementation of the guidelines and for monitoring its use and application.

• My last comment, maybe the most important in my view, relates to the nature of the guidelines and their intended users (1.3). It is mentioned that, “These Guidelines are intended to be interpreted and applied in accordance with national legal systems and their institutions”, the same that, in some countries, perpetuate gender inequalities. While transformative gender policies and programmes are starting to produce results (measured by the fact that some social norms that are detrimental to equality have become less prominent), the SIGI report 2019 states that, “ Yet improvements are too slow, due to legal discriminations, loopholes and inadequacies, weak implementation of laws, and discriminatory customary laws and social norms. In many countries, political commitments, legal reforms and gender-sensitive programmes are still not being translated into real changes for women and girls. Several interrelated raisons explain why progress is so slow. Among them: legal discriminations and loopholes continue to constrain women’s opportunities; existing laws and programmes are not always adequate; implementation and enforcement of the law is uneven within and across countries and can take time; lack of information, limited legal literacy and restricted access to justice make women unable to claim their rights; where customary laws and social norms still largely determine communities’ and individuals’ behavior, standard policies to promote gender equality are insufficient to create the necessary social transformation”. In addition, the report lists the following fact:
• Comprehensive legal frameworks that guarantee women’s and men’s rights – regardless of their marital status, ethnicity, location, education, religion or income – are not yet the norm. The SIGI data on legal discrimination reveals that women in all countries continue to face legal discrimination in a myriad of places, including courtrooms or in the workplace.
• Laws and programmes are not always appropriate. Countries have been slow, for example, to enact laws to protect women from emerging forms of gender-based violence.
• The implementation and enforcement of laws take time and are uneven within a country. In plural legal systems, where statutory law exists alongside customary, traditional or religious laws, women of certain groups may continue to face discrimination. This exposes the more vulnerable women to higher risk, especially those living in remote areas that are difficult to reach.
• Even when legal frameworks to protect women’s rights exist, the lack of information, limited legal literacy and restricted access to the justice system limit women’s ability to claim their rights.
• Where customary laws still largely determine communities’ and individuals’ behavior, standard policies to promote gender equality are insufficient to create social transformation. Discriminatory customary and religious laws may undermine the implementation of gender-transformative statutory law and expose women and girls to continuing discriminatory practices. This is particularly true in remote areas and some Least Developed Countries with weak rule of law.
• Social norms weaken the implementation of gender-sensitive laws and policies and justify harmful and discriminatory practices.
• Therefore, some national legal systems and their institutions will  go against or contradict the guidelines and, will, as a consequence, maintain the status quo and discrimination women and girls are currently facing. Likewise, they will prevent the guidelines from meeting its purpose. For this reason, I suggest revising the sentence above and acknowledge that in some countries gender inequality is partly the result of existing legal systems and their institutions and that such systems and institutions are not in a position to advance gender equality and women and girls' empowerment. Therefore, an alternative needs to be found.

Message from the facilitator

The CFS Gender Regional Consultation for Latin America and the Caribbean took place on 21-22 September. The Consultation was very well attended with close to 100 participants from countries of the region participating in the event at any time and more following the webcast. All constituent groups contributed to the plenary discussions: representatives from governments, UN System, civil society, research institutions, private sector and others, sharing precious information on challenges and potential solutions. This was the first one of a series of six consultations planned to take place in September-November 2021.

The objective of the CFS regional consultations is to align the future CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment in the Context of Food Security and Nutrition with national and regional priorities and needs. The main background document for the consultation, the Zero Draft of the Guidelines, was presented by Ms Tanja Grén (Finland) and Mr Tomas Duncan (Panama), Co-Chairs appointed by the CFS Bureau to facilitate the policy convergence process.

H.E. Ms Beatriz Argimon, Vice President of Uruguay, delivered the first keynote. She was congratulated for tirelessly championing the rights of rural women, including the rights to food and nutrition. Mr Berdegué, Regional Representative of FAO for Latin America and the Caribbean delivered a keynote on behalf of FAO, IFAD and WFP, sharing impressive statistics on the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on poverty and food security and nutrition. Finally, Ms Maria Noel Vaeza, UN Women’s Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean, stressed the fact that empowering women and girls was an effective way of improving nutrition, not only of women but of all members of their family. The three keynote speakers underlined the importance of the CFS future Guidelines and their support to their implementation once agreed by CFS in October 2022.

Climate Change Adaptation Inclusion 

I see the topic has been mentioned in section 3.5, but I also notice that there hasn't been a comprehensive discussion on including women and girls in climate adaptation skills development using technology. This is important as we already have wide gaps in digital skills and access to information and training, which already affects women and girls more. We need:

1. Research on how to create inclusive climate change adaption/mitigation development skills. 

2. How to create solutions that take into account the already existing disparities.

3. Clear discussions on how to integrate women and girls into the solution formulation processes from the earliest stages possible.

Note: The inputs are being submitted by Dr. Santosh Kumar Mishra in his individual capacity.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

1. Comments below are being offered by Dr. Santosh Kumar Mishra from academic and research points of view.
2. Wherever possible, well verified research facts have been presented in support of review comments.
3. Point-wise and specific comments have been presented in response to the text given in the document (titled “Zero draft of the CFS VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ON GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ EMPOWERMENT in the context of food security and nutrition”), published online at: http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/activities/consultations/CFS-voluntary-guidelines-GEWE).
4. Views presented in the following pages are based on (1) research findings, & (2) first hand experiences of Dr. Santosh Kumar Mishra, learnt while interacting (in-person) with various stakeholders during his study visit to the USA, Ireland, the UK, Sweden, etc. 

Does the Zero Draft appropriately capture the main challenges and barriers that hinder progress in achieving gender equality and the full realization of women’s and girls’ rights in the context of food security and nutrition? If not, what do you think is missing or should be adjusted?

The Zero Draft document covers all relevant areas.

Additional Point: Refer to first sentence of point no. 4 (page 3), of the published document (on: http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/activities/consultations/CFS-voluntary-guidelines-GEWE): I do not agree with this sentence (statement): Currently, the global food system produces enough food to feed every person on the planet. There is no scientific data available to support this. I am of the determined research view that the global agriculture-sector is not able to, till date, produce enough for everyone on the globe, except for some countries.

Does Part 2 of the Zero Draft satisfactorily reflect the core principles which should underpin the Guidelines? If not, how do you propose to improve these principles?

The guiding principles reflect all core and key issues of concern and relevance in the context of gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment for the purpose of food security and nutrition. However, I find one meaningful aspect missing. It is about family life education (FLE). I suggest following text be included:

30.   Family life education (FLE) for inculcating values among women and girls in order to enable them take rational decisions in matters pertaining to food security and nutrition  (FSN), at all times and everywhere. The Guidelines recognize the significance of FLE approach that can be used by policy makers and relevant stakeholders as an educational tool for imparting value-based skills among children (including adolescent boys and girls of all ages). In broader perspective, the Guidelines promote FLE for all on the planet for securing FSN, in general, and healthy living (HL), in particular, now and for the future.

Rationale (justification) behind adding above guiding principle on FLE:

I am of the considered view that FLE should be imparted to everyone in all countries and continents. Education of this type should be imparted by parents, responsible family members, civil society stakeholders, and others involved. FLE starts from home; it is informal in nature which can form part of extension and outreach activities (initiatives) that are carried out across the regions of the globe at various levels of education. This type of education should necessarily be provided (both within and outside of the university, college, & school system) to young boys and girls at appropriate stages during their childhood days. The broad subject areas of relevance (in the context of FSN (food security and nutrition) and HL [healthy living]) to be covered in FLE; include (a) “negotiating skills”, (b) “communication skills” and (c) “values for healthy and responsible living”. I argue that the end product of the FLE should be equip boys and girls with skills needed for taking right and rational decisions in all matters from day one till remaining years of their lives. This is of increased significance, especially in the present day situation wherein family disintegration, changing social behaviour, disrespect for parents, deviation from well-defined and established social norms are frequent occurrence in many countries. I, in my individual capacity, witnessed these events occurring during my travel, in the past, to the USA, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Kenya, Tanzania, Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia, and Greece. I travelled to these countries as a party of study visits. I had an opportunity to interact (in-person) with scholars and researchers on the relevant issues of FLE. Often, tools suggested by national governments, policy makers, and inter-governmental agencies for empowering women and girls (in all countries) pertain to (a) institutional reform, (b) legislative measures, (c) advocacy efforts, and (d) imparting relevant education and skills through formal and non-formal channels (streams) of education. Nevertheless, my academic and research experiences of over 32 years and my personal interaction with stakeholders and collaborators, both in India and elsewhere, are suggestive of the fact that traditional tools used for empowering women and girls does not, in many cases, lead to significant and meaningful outcomes (to the desired levels). This is because of the fact that required value changes does not take place in the lives of women and girls (and boys and girls), especially in the context of FSN and HL. These changes can be ensured through FLE. However, I make a specific point, at this juncture, that devising mechanism for imparting FLE must involve, among others, counsellors, as they are better informed about psychological framework of children and the ways in which FLE should be imparted among them, keeping in mind the individual learning skills.                    

Do the nine sections of Part 3 of the Zero Draft comprehensively cover the policy areas to be addressed to achieve gender equality and the full realization of women’s and girls’ rights in the context of food security and nutrition? If not, what do you think is missing?

I agree with the aspects covered under nine sections of Part 3 of the Zero Draft. It comprehensively covers relevant policy areas.

Does Part 4 of the Zero Draft provide all the elements necessary for effective implementation and monitoring of the use and application of the Guidelines? If not, what do you propose to add or change?

Part 4 of the Zero Draft includes all the elements necessary for effective implementation and monitoring.