Nutrition and Human rights

Gender and Law - Women's Rights in Agriculture

Gender issues cut across virtually all aspects of agriculture. Throughout the world, women constitute a large portion of the economically active population engaged in agriculture, both as farmers and as farm workers, and play a crucial role in ensuring household food security. However, they often face obstacles in access to land and other natural resources, to formal employment, and to credit, training and extension services. These obstacles may stem from directly or indirectly discriminatory norms and/or from entrenched socio-cultural practices, and entail negative consequences not only for women themselves, but also for their family members, especially in the case of female-headed households. This study analyses the gender dimension of agriculture-related legislation, examining the legal status of women in three key areas: rights to land and other natural resources; rights of women agricultural workers; and rights concerning women’s agricultural self-employment.

This publication can be accessed here