By Dr. Antonio Querido
This International Women’s Day 2025, under the theme “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality,” we confront a critical reality: Agriculture cannot thrive while half its workforce -women – remains invisible and undervalued, and their needs remain unaddressed.
Women constitute nearly half of the global agricultural labor force, yet they continue to face systemic barriers to land, credit, technology, and markets.
Their contributions fuel food security and economic growth, but without urgent action to close these gaps, true resilience and sustainability will remain out of reach.
Achieving gender equality in agriculture is not just a moral imperative; it is essential for building resilient food systems and securing a sustainable future amid the growing challenges of climate change
At the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), we are committed to accelerating action toward gender equality by creating an enabling environment where women and men have equal opportunities to contribute to and benefit from agricultural growth.
Studies reveal that if women had the same access to resources as men, agricultural yields could increase by up to 30%, lifting millions out of hunger and poverty. However, persistent systemic barriers continue to constrain their full potential.
One of the most pressing challenges is the gender gap in land ownership. In many parts of the world, legal and cultural barriers prevent women from owning or inheriting land despite their essential role in food production.
Without secure land rights, women struggle to invest in sustainable farming practices, access financial services, and build resilient agricultural enterprises.
Addressing these barriers requires bold and strategic policy reforms and targeted interventions to support women’s land tenure security.
Land is only part of the equation.
Even when women gain access to land, they often face another major hurdle: finance.
Without collateral or equitable lending practices, many women farmers and agriprenuers are shut out of the credit they need to invest, expand and innovate.
FAO is working with governments and financial institutions to develop gender-responsive financial products and services that empower women to grow their agribusinesses, invest in climate-smart agriculture, and strengthen their economic independence.
In Uganda, through a pilot initiative, FAO has supported women and men in Adjumani and Kasese to acquire customary land certificates.
For many families—especially women—this provides a legal foundation to access financing and actively engage in agricultural development.
Expanding such initiatives is key to empowering more rural farmers, enabling them to secure credit, enhance production and productivity, add value to their products, and drive the transformation of our agrifood systems.
Technology has the power to transform agriculture, but only if women have equal access and are part of the digital revolution.
Too often, they are left behind, missing out on tools that could boost productivity and resilience—from early warning systems that protect crops to technology and equipment that reduces manual labor.
Bridging this gender tech gap is not just about tools; it’s about empowerment and transforming the social and cultural norms that dictate who can access technology in the first place.
FAO supports initiatives that equip women with skills and technologies that enhance productivity and resilience, such as mobile applications that provide real-time weather information, pest control guidance, and market linkages.
Through gender-transformative approaches, FAO works with communities, including men, cultural leaders, and religious institutions, to spark dialogue, challenge restrictive norms, and co-create solutions that ensure women and men have equal opportunities to benefit from agricultural innovation.
Moreover, the role of youth, especially young women, in agriculture cannot be overlooked. Many young people are discouraged from pursuing careers in agriculture due to limited opportunities, lack of mentorship, and gender biases.
Through programs that promote agripreneurship, mentorship, and access to markets, FAO is ensuring that young women see a future in agriculture that is innovative, inclusive, and rewarding.
Accelerating action for gender equality requires a collective commitment. Governments, policymakers, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and international institutions must prioritise gender-responsive policies, investments, and initiatives.
We must move beyond commitments and translate words into tangible actions that dismantle barriers, amplify women’s voices, and create equitable opportunities in the agricultural sector.
This International Women’s Day let’s shift our perspective from viewing women as beneficiaries to recognizing them as the leaders and innovators they already are.
It is time to move beyond promises and take real action – dismantling barriers, amplifying women’s voices, and creating agricultural systems that are genuinely inclusive, resilient, and just. The future of our agri-food systems depends on it, and the time to act is now.
Dr. Antonio Querido is FAO Representative in Uganda
