FAO statement at ECOSOC HAS side event – Addressing gender-based violence impacts of food insecurity for women and girls in the Sahel and Horn of Africa

ECOSOC HAS side event

Addressing gender-based violence impacts of food insecurity for women and girls in the Sahel and Horn of Africa

Statement by FAO, delivered by

Humanitarian and Resilience Programme Officer in the FAO Liaison Office with the UN in New York, Conor Elliott

Excellencies and gentlemen, 

Globally, but in particular, in the agriculture sector and in rural areas, gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive and persistent reality.

Humanitarian emergencies, food insecurity and poverty are increasing the prevalence of GBV, undermining our efforts to ensure household and national food security and nutrition. It is seriously impacting women’s health and emotional and mental well-being, as well as their ability to work and participate in community life. In the context of protracted crises however there are a number of effective approaches some of which I would like to highlight here: 

FAO is also involved in the Safe Access to Fuel and Energy (SAFE) initiatives in South Sudan, Somalia and Kenya, among others. A SAFE intervention could be the provision and/or production of fuel-efficient stoves and alternative fuels; investments in sustainable natural resources for fuel, or promotion of less wood-fuel-intensive livelihoods. These interventions in times of conflict or natural disasters, have proven to reduce the risk of gender-based violence against women and children who are tasked with collecting fuel, by reducing the amount of times they need to venture into risky areas.

the Junior/Farmer Field and Life Schools (J/FFLS) have contributed substantively to positive transformations in household relationships. These schools are also known as “schools without walls”, that work to improve and strengthen men and women’s life skills and knowledge of agronomic practices whilst raising awareness on human and women’s rights, gender stereotypes, and how to protect themselves from GBV and HIV. By providing an opportunity for men and women to work together and learn effective approaches to livelihood sustainability, men have come to see the value of women’s work and more importantly, the value of women.

The Dimitra Clubs are a signature programme within FAO proven to transform gender relations and empower rural men and women. The clubs are groups of rural women, men and young people who voluntarily meet to discuss the challenges they face in their daily lives and take collective action to resolve their problems. The success of the Dimitra Clubs is due largely to two factors: the inclusion of men and boys as change agents and champions in the process of women’s and girls’ empowerment, and the opportunities provided to women to express their opinions in public and have their views incorporated into decision-making processes.

FAO is committed to reducing the inequality gap between rural women and men in access to productive resources, services and rural institutions; ensuring that women participate in and lead policy decision-making processes; and increasing their access to economic opportunities that can improve their individual and household well-being FAO. When rural women have access to resources, services and opportunities, they become a driving force against hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty.

Thank you.