FAO Launches Rural Women Empowerment Program

FAO unveiled a new initiative aimed at empowering rural women and enhancing environmental sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Rural Women Empowerment and Environmental Sustainability Acceleration Program will be piloted in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Honduras.

The program's primary goal is to recognize, promote, and support the potential of rural women to contribute to and benefit from economic growth, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration. It will specifically target rural, indigenous, youth, and Afro-descendant women.

Mario Lubetkin, Deputy Director General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, FAO, highlighted the program's significance. “This program addresses the urgent need to tackle gender inequalities in agri-food systems and climate challenges in the region,” Lubetkin said during the program's launch. He added that the initiative will work with regional and national partners to strengthen government capacities and develop policies that enhance the role of rural women in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

The program's initial phase will introduce field schools for female farmers to enhance their skills and economic autonomy. Additionally, it will provide training for government officials on developing and implementing policies that recognize and strengthen the role of rural women in environmental conservation. To extend the program's impact, a regional knowledge-sharing and cooperation platform will be launched. This platform will foster collaboration, provide technical support, and facilitate the empowerment of rural women through digital tools, training, workshops, and online events.

The program will also promote digital technologies and innovative practices to enhance agricultural production and integrate rural women into markets. It aligns with the "Rural Women, Women with Rights" campaign, facilitating cooperation among governments, the private sector, and civil society.