• About
  • Contact
  • Donate/Support
  • Subscribe
Mansa Banko Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Agric
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Science/Tech
  • More
    • Education
    • Human Rights
    • Sports
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Migration
    • Opinion
    • Tourism
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Agric
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Science/Tech
  • More
    • Education
    • Human Rights
    • Sports
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Migration
    • Opinion
    • Tourism
No Result
View All Result
Mansa Banko Online
No Result
View All Result
Home Press Release

Empowering women and girls is crucial to ensure sustainable food security in the aftermath of COVID-19, say UN food agency heads ahead of International Women’s Day

Press Release by Press Release
March 6, 2021
in Press Release
0
Empowering women and girls is crucial to ensure sustainable food security in the aftermath of COVID-19, say UN food agency heads ahead of International Women’s Day
0
SHARES
73
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Rome, 6 March 2021 – Hunger and famine will persist and there will be unequal recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic unless more women in rural and urban areas hold leadership positions with increased decision-making power, say the heads of the three United Nations’ food agencies ahead of their joint International Women’s Day event on 8 March.

The event, co-organised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP), will focus global attention on the vital role that empowered female farmers, entrepreneurs and leaders need to play so that women can contribute on equal terms to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and in creating an environment to eliminate poverty, enhance productivity, and improve food security and nutrition.

“The world is home to more than 1.1 billion girls under the age of 18, who have the potential of becoming the largest generation of female leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers ever seen for the better future. Yet, women and girls continue to face persistent structural constraints that prevent them from fully developing their potential and hinder their efforts of improving their lives as well as their households and communities,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. “Women and girls can play a crucial role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in particular in transforming our agri-food systems. We all need to work together to spark the necessary changes to empower women and girls, particularly those in rural areas,” he added.

“It is essential that women are not only in more leadership positions, but that they are consulted and listened to, and integrated in all spheres and stages of pandemic response and recovery,” said Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD. “Investing in rural women’s leadership and involving them more in creating our post-COVID future is critical to ensure their perspectives and needs are adequately considered, so that we can build back better food systems where there is equal access to nutritious food and decent livelihoods.”

“Women and girls make up half of our global community and it’s time this was reflected in leadership positions at every level,” said David Beasley, Executive Director of WFP. “We know from our work around the world that when women and girls have better access to information, resources and economic opportunities, and are free to make their own decisions, hunger rates fall and nutrition improves not only for themselves but also their families, communities and countries.”

Women’s leadership is particularly important in rural areas of developing countries, where the voices of the 1.7 billion women and girls who live there are often overlooked. Sixty percent of women in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa work in agriculture – yet they have less access to resources and services than men, including land, finance, training, inputs and equipment. In addition to their agricultural work, women are overburdened with domestic chores and caring for their families – roles that have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, women are more negatively affected by the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including losing livelihoods and experiencing decreases in their personal incomes.

Ensuring that women have a greater voice is not only a matter of gender equality. Women leaders can advocate for women to have better access to and control over assets and productive inputs, thus boosting their productivity and incomes, leading to food security and increasing their employment opportunities and real wages.

Research shows that if women farmers had the same access to productive resources as men, they could increase yields by 20 to 30 percent and total agricultural output by 2.5 to 4 percent, lifting 100 to 150 million people out of hunger.

FAO works to strengthen rural women’s engagement and leadership in agri-food systems. FAO also engages with farmers’ organizations to ensure that rural women’s voices are heard and promotes gender-transformative approaches to challenge unfair socio-cultural norms in rural communities. Moreover, FAO supports governments to adopt policies and strategies addressing the needs and aspirations of rural women and girls, enabling them to participate in decision-making and assume leadership positions. This also implies enhancing women’s leadership skills and self-confidence and raising gender awareness within national and local institutions. Within the Organization, FAO has established a Women’s Committee providing an inclusive, safe space that reflects the diverse and energetic nature of FAO’s female workforce. The Organization also created incentives for career prospects for female staff and for achieving gender parity at all levels and across all job categories.

Since 2009, IFAD has implemented a ‘household methodologies’ approach to reinforce the equal role and decision-making capacity of women within households, groups and communities. Evidence from Uganda, Rwanda, Kyrgyzstan and other countries has shown that women who take part in the programme take up leadership roles in their organizations and communities, and have a greater voice in decision-making in their households. This has led to greater agricultural productivity.

Food security and gender inequality are closely linked with disadvantages beginning at a young age. In many countries boys and girls have very different childhoods. Boys eat first, are given more food than their sisters, do less housework and marry later. For girls, marriage and not school work can dominate their childhoods. WFP’s work in achieving gender equality begins at school where support or implementation of School Feeding programmes in more than 70 countries contributes to increased school attendance of girls. This provides them greater access to education, reduces the risk of child marriage and other forms of gender-based violence, and increases future livelihood and leadership opportunities for girls.

Note to editors

The event Women’s leadership in a COVID-19 world for a better future – will be webcast on Monday, 8 March at 14:30 – 16:00 CET. Register here

Asel Kuttubaeva, an expert in the economic empowerment of rural women in Kyrgyzstan, Kehkashan Basu, a youth environment advocate from Canada, and Rea Abada Chiongson, an expert on gender and justice, are among the event participants who will reflect on how women leaders can bring their experiences, perspectives and skills to ensure equitable and sustainable pandemic response and recovery.

Contacts:

 Peter Mayer

peter.mayer@fao.org

Tel. +39 06 57053 304

Antonia Paradela

a.paradelatorices@ifad.org

Mobile: +34 605398109

Frances Kennedy

frances.kennedy@wfp.org

Mobile: +39 346 7600806

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.

 IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided US$23.2 billion in grants and low-interest loans to projects that have reached an estimated 518 million people. IFAD is an international financial institution and a United Nations specialized agency based in Rome – the United Nations food and agriculture hub.

 The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.  We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

Press release No.: IFAD/13/2021

Tags: Climate ChangeFAOFoodFood SecurityGirlsIFADNobel Peace Prize Laureate.
Previous Post

Joint statement by UN Agencies in The Gambia on International Women’s Day 2021

Next Post

Bulock’s Sira Bah, Business Development Officer Sarjo Jarju Speak On Supports For Women Gardeners

Press Release

Press Release

Press Release(s) published herein do not represent Mansa Banko Online views in any way. Nothing posted here should be considered official or sanctioned by my employer or any other organization Mansa Banko Online is affiliated with.

Related Posts

Regional Forum on Migration and Maritime Security
Press Release

Regional Forum on Migration and Maritime Security

by Press Release
July 25, 2023
60 Applications to the Diaspora Development Fund (DDF) from Nine Countries: Awards to be made in August 2022
Press Release

The Gambian diaspora recognised as leaders in development action

by Press Release
June 6, 2023
Global Economy on Precarious Footing Amid High Interest Rates
Press Release

Global Economy on Precarious Footing Amid High Interest Rates

by Press Release
June 6, 2023
World Bank Approves $460 million for Regional Harmonization and Improvement of Statistics in Western and Central Africa
Press Release

World Bank Approves $460 million for Regional Harmonization and Improvement of Statistics in Western and Central Africa

by Press Release
May 12, 2023
COVID-19’s Impact on Young People Risks a Lost Generation
Press Release

COVID-19’s Impact on Young People Risks a Lost Generation

by Press Release
February 16, 2023
Next Post
Bulock’s Sira Bah, Business Development Officer Sarjo Jarju  Speak On Supports For  Women  Gardeners

Bulock's Sira Bah, Business Development Officer Sarjo Jarju Speak On Supports For Women Gardeners

Latest Post

Botswana to Host the 21st RUFORUM Annual General Meeting

Botswana to Host the 21st RUFORUM Annual General Meeting

June 1, 2025
Two Women Leaders to Unveil Amazon Best-Selling Book on Modern Leadership in The Gambia

Two Women Leaders to Unveil Amazon Best-Selling Book on Modern Leadership in The Gambia

May 11, 2025
RUFORUM SEEKS TO BOOST AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES WITH CUTTING-EDGE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

RUFORUM SEEKS TO BOOST AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES WITH CUTTING-EDGE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

May 6, 2025
EU YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT (YEP) – TOURISM AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES LAUNCH TO CREATE JOBS FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH

EU YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT (YEP) – TOURISM AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES LAUNCH TO CREATE JOBS FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH

February 17, 2025
GYIN Gambia and Doorways to Train 30 Youth Entrepreneurs on Personal Initiative (PI)

GYIN Gambia and Doorways to Train 30 Youth Entrepreneurs on Personal Initiative (PI)

February 14, 2025
Sunu Reew Medical Mission donates medical equipment to EFSTH

Sunu Reew Medical Mission donates medical equipment to EFSTH

February 11, 2025
COMHAFAT and COMAIP Sign Memorandum of Understanding to enhance sustainable fishing in Africa

COMHAFAT and COMAIP Sign Memorandum of Understanding to enhance sustainable fishing in Africa

February 5, 2025

Browse by Tags

AfDB Africa Agriculture Banjul business Children Climate Change Covid-19 COVID19 Development ECOWAS Education EU European Union FAO Farmers Finance Food Food Security Gambia Garden Government GYIN Gambia Health Human Rights IFAD Market Migration National Assembly Nigeria People Poultry Poverty Project Rice Rural Senegal The Gambia Trade United Nations Water Women World Bank YEP Youth

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Business
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • FAO
  • Health
  • Human Rights
  • IFAD
  • Migration
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Press Release
  • Science/Tech
  • Security
  • Sports
  • Tourism
  • Youth

Browse by Tag

AfDB Africa Agriculture Banjul business Children Climate Change Covid-19 COVID19 Development ECOWAS Education EU European Union FAO Farmers Finance Food Food Security Gambia Garden Government GYIN Gambia Health Human Rights IFAD Market Migration National Assembly Nigeria People Poultry Poverty Project Rice Rural Senegal The Gambia Trade United Nations Water Women World Bank YEP Youth

Recent Posts

  • Botswana to Host the 21st RUFORUM Annual General Meeting
  • Two Women Leaders to Unveil Amazon Best-Selling Book on Modern Leadership in The Gambia
  • RUFORUM SEEKS TO BOOST AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES WITH CUTTING-EDGE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
  • About
  • Contact
  • Donate/Support
  • Subscribe

Facebook Page

Facebook Page
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

© 2020 Mansa Banko Online | Powered by Faalen Technologies.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Agric
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Science/Tech
  • More
    • Education
    • Human Rights
    • Sports
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Migration
    • Opinion
    • Tourism

© 2020 Mansa Banko Online | Powered by Faalen Technologies.

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?