FAO Launches International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026

• FAO is launching the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026
• The initiative seeks to emphasize the important yet often under-recognized role of women in agrifood systems
•  It seeks to accelerate reforms that reduce gender gaps in agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Recently launched an initiative "International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026", it will be an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the often neglected contributions of women to the agrifood system (Agricultural and Food Systems) and the need for global collaboration to close the continuing gender gap.

The UN General Assembly approved the observance in October 2024 - stating that "there is an urgent need to address the disparities women face in agriculture and that coordinated action is needed by governments, development agencies, private sector, and civil society".

FAO will coordinate the observance in 2026 along with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Program (WFP).

Around the world women make up a large percentage of the agricultural workforce and contribute to all aspects of the agrifood value chain including production, processing, distribution and sales.

Despite their contributions to food security and the local economy, women are typically disadvantaged when it comes to accessing critical resources such as land, financial resources, technological advancements, educational resources, extension services and opportunities for leadership.

The majorities of women performs their work in the informal market for lower pay and are therefore more vulnerable to environmental shocks.

During the launch event, held alongside the 179th Session of the FAO Council, FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero pointed out that progress in women's empowerment in agrifood systems has stalled in the past ten years.

He further mentioned that closing gender gaps could raise global GDP by one trillion dollars and reduce food insecurity affecting 45 million people. Torero underlined that the observance must translate into concrete reforms on land rights, financing, access to technology and markets, and decision-making.

In comments, FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol explained that the initiative should generate long-term attention and action, centered on policy change, partnerships, research support, and continued dialogue among stakeholders. It is expected to eventually translate commitments into quantifiable deliverables.

FAO defines the "woman farmer" in a broad perspective to include smallholders, agricultural laborer’s, pastoralists, fishers, processors, traders, scientists, entrepreneurs, and Indigenous women, women in local communities, women with disabilities, and women who are displaced. Many operate without formal land ownership but remain central to food production and rural economies.

The main message of this initiative is that women are the key to building sustainable, resilient agrifood systems and driving economic growth while addressing global hunger. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that all recognition and support go to women in food systems regardless of their role in the food system