Women’s Role in Agriculture and Rural Development: Challenges, Contributions, and Prospects for Sustainable Growth

Abstract

Women in agriculture and rural development are important to the world as a whole because their contributions to food security, poverty alleviation, and rural resiliency are vital. Though they are critical to all of these, women are often constrained by systemic barriers that include limited access to land, financial services, technology, and education. This text will investigate the role of women in agriculture, the contribution they make to the economy and society, barriers to overcoming inequalities, and the potential of women farmers to be empowered to act as change makers for sustainable rural development. Drawing on global and regional experience, we will emphasize the importance of gender-responsive agricultural policies and inclusive methods of conducting agriculture, instead of excluding women, to harness the ability of women to act as change makers in rural economies.