FAO, womanhood and rural areas

The implementation of many innovative agricultural and social initiatives worldwide has become possible thanks to the persistence, compassion, and professionalism of women leaders in rural areas. This is an established fact. However, a thorough examination of this issue has revealed a significant gap not only between women and men but also between the opportunities available to women living in large cities and those in rural areas.

In many countries, “the image of the 'typical' farmer prevails, and this is a man who is considered the owner and manager of a small family farm. Women are not classified as farmers even if they are regularly engaged in agricultural activities,” stated Anna Jenderedjian, Gender Mainstreaming and Social Protection Specialist, FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, from the rostrum of the forum while speaking at the thematic session 'Women for Rural Development' during the three-day Eurasian Women’s Forum held in St. Petersburg.

“The needs and requirements of women are not taken into account in the development of agricultural policy and related strategies, nor are they considered in the implementation of projects aimed at enhancing professional competencies,” continued the FAO expert. “Moreover, women are limited in their access to essential production factors: land, credit, agricultural extension services, including know-how and best practices.”

It must be noted that “the contribution of rural women to agricultural production, both as members of households and as full-fledged farmers, remains almost unnoticed,” emphasized the FAO expert.

“There is a need to strengthen the evidence base and gender statistics related to agriculture and rural development. A detailed analysis of gender injustices in access to means of production and resources, as well as the reasons for these disparities, is necessary to develop measures to eliminate existing barriers. Equally important is the formation of normative, legal, and policy platforms that reflect and consider the opinions and priorities of rural women.

FAO focuses on enhancing engagement of rural women and their empowerment in Türkiye and Central Asia within the framework of the FAO- Türkiye Partnership Programme in Food and Agriculture. In Türkiye, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, FAO promotes capacity-building for women in leadership positions who make management decisions.

In rural areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina, FAO is improving agrifood chains with the greatest potential to encourage and stimulate women’s entrepreneurship. In Albania, FAO has created a kind of 'agro-incubators' for women farmers as part of its strategy to achieve gender equality in rural areas.

In Russia, FAO, in collaboration with the Institute for Agrarian Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, organized an international forum titled 'Food Policy, Rural Development and Gender Equality in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia: Current Trends and the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic'”.

The FAO expert provided specific examples of positive experiences in achieving gender equality. A mechanism for disseminating agricultural and broadly agrarian knowledge has been developed and is functioning. Systematic information gathering and analysis of women’s needs in rural areas are underway. A training system for personnel has been established. Methods that promote inclusivity and equality are being advocated through practical activities, including mentoring and peer-to-peer training, mutual assistance associations for women, women’s social networks, group training, etc.

“FAO is committed to ensuring gender equality through the implementation of normative tools – through gender equality policies, strategies developed for specific regions, as well as within the framework of the 2024–2026 Gender Equality Action Plan for Europe and Central Asia,” concluded Anna Jenderedjian.

Women are actively participating in the rural development across all sectors. Success is largely achieved “thanks to the wisdom and courage of rural women,” stated Elena Fastova, First Deputy Minister of Agriculture in the Russian Federation. “In turn, the Ministry of Agriculture is implementing the State programme of the Russian Federation entitled 'Integrated Development of Rural Areas’.”

For the second year now, the Ministry of Agriculture has been holding the All-Russian competition ‘Women in the Agro-Industrial Complex’. The goals of this competition are to enhance the role, status, and authority of women by showcasing leadership examples in all sectors of the agro-industrial and fisheries complexes, as well as to promote rural lifestyles.

A symbolic detail that reflects significant progress in ensuring gender equality in the Russian Federation was shared by Elena Fastova: half of all senior leaders in the Ministry of Agriculture are women!

*   *   *

The session was moderated by Elena Myakotnikova, Director of Sustainable Development, Member of the Executive Committee of the Board at Rusal. The discussion was attended by: Marina Borlakova, Chair of the Board at the Agricultural Production Cooperative Kolkhoz-Plemreproducer Kuban, Chairperson of the regional branch of the public-state organization Union of Women of Russia in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic; Evgenia Gutsul, Bashkan (Head) of the autonomous territorial unit of Gagauzia in the Republic of Moldova; Irina Zhachkina, First Deputy Chairperson of the Board at Rosselkhozbank; Alena Kulik, Head of the Peasant Farm Khutor Baryshevo (Leningrad Region); Sibulele Nomalubi Poswayo, South African Delegate to the Women’s G20 (W20), Chairperson and Founder of the Movement Against Inequality, Republic of South Africa; Charu Pragya, Expert on Rural Development and Host of the National Television Dialogue of the ruling party on rural development issues, India; Lyudmila Spiridonova, Executive Director of the NAFI Analytical Centre.

* * *

On the Forum’s sidelines, our expert Anna Jenderedjian successfully networked with a wide range of women leaders, particularly young ones, representing diverse partners – government and elected bodies, private sector, non-governmental and public organizations, education and social welfare sectors from many countries.

These meetings confirmed the demand for FAO’s mission regarding ensuring gender equality and enhancing women’s rights and opportunities in the agrifood sector, especially as we approach the International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026.

BACKGROUND

The Eurasian Women’s Forum is an authoritative international platform for dialogue among women leaders from all continents and for developing joint solutions to pressing issues of international cooperation, sustainable economic development, new technologies adoption, ensuring a healthy lifestyle and environmental safety, and promoting social charitable projects.

Forum participants included women parliamentarians, representatives from executive authorities, international organizations, business circles, academia, public organizations, charitable projects, and prominent figures from the international women’s movement from many countries around the world.

The Forum was organized by the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

*   *   *

In accordance with the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 2 May 2023, 2026 has been declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer.