Foro Global sobre Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (Foro FSN)

Maria Giulia De Castro

World Farmers' Organisation
Italy

Comments by WFO

1. 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?

Yes, we think the overall the zero draft captures the main challenges and barriers. 

2. 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?

Para 17, p. 6: WFO would like to suggest adding the UN Decade on Family Farming 2019-2028

among the policy framework of reference to build the CFS guidelines. In fact, pillar 3 of the

Global Action Plan of the UNDFF is specifically focused on Promote Gender Equity in Family

Farming and the leadership role of rural women
, considering women as key agents for a world

with zero hunger and inclusive food systems.

Para 22, p. 7: WFO appreciates the reference to sustainable food systems and food security.

However, we would suggest adding a specific mention to reiterate the need to guarantee girls’

and women access to education and capacity building opportunity to fully develop their skills

and potential and gain more future opportunities both from a social and economic

perspective, within their communities. 

3. 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?

Para 37, ii, p. 9: Strengthening women’s organisations is vital for sure, as well as women’s

participation also at leadership level in those organisations. However, from WFO side we also

think that gender equality and women empowerment should be mainstreamed at a general

level, in all policy debates and all kinds of organisations, and that women should deserve equal

opportunities as men to take also leadership roles even in those organisations where the

mandate is not strictly focused on women.

4. 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?

From WFO side, we would like to stress the relevance of what happens at the country level

once the CFS products are endorsed and circulated. It is essential to make sure that there is a

strong link between Permanent Missions in Rome, National Governments, and stakeholders’

organisations and networks. RBAs can certainly play a key role in making sure that this

connection exists and works well, through the liaison offices for example. Also, it would be

helpful to establish for example a kind of soft reporting exercise so to ask CFS members when

and how CFS guidelines have been used at national level for example to establish a financial

mechanism for rural women or a national plan, always engaging stakeholders directly through

their organisations.