Globally, women farmers often face more challenges due to the existing gender gaps and challenges in the agriculture sector. When it comes to productivity, women farmers have lower yields and productivity due to limited access to inputs, labour, and extension advice. They also face less secure land tenure, limited access to financial services and credit, and are concentrated at the lower ends of the value chain. In 2023, a report by FAO stated that gender inequalities in food and agriculture are costing the world US$1 billion. Women who make up a significant portion of agricultural labour often face barriers that limit their productivity and contribution to agricultural output, thereby reducing overall agricultural productivity and economic growth.

Empowering women and girls is critical for agricultural development and food security, as it can lead to increased agricultural yields and national agricultural output. By integrating gender perspectives into agricultural policies and programs, the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural practices can be improved, ultimately contributing to food security and economic growth. It is predicted that minimising the gender gaps would reduce global food insecurity by about two percentage points, reducing the number of food-insecure people by 45 million. Therefore, there is a need to address the challenge to trigger positive ripple effects throughout communities and economies in this sector.

Building Capacity for Lasting Impact: The Training that Sowed the Seeds of Change

The commitment to inclusivity must be realized through a profound understanding and rigorous implementation of gender equality and social inclusion safeguards. To this end, the FOLUR Project Indonesia organized a two-day intensive training session on these principles, inviting key government counterparts. Officials from four ministries, alongside the project team and five field coordinators from project sites across Indonesia, engaged in 14 hours of dynamic group exercises and passionate discussions on safeguards and gender issues on May 29-30, 2024.

The 57 participants, with a balanced number of male and female representatives, demonstrated strong commitments, and positive feedback, and created a draft safeguards and gender-responsive action plan. This approach ensures that the team is fully equipped with sufficient knowledge, skills, and understanding of safeguards and gender aspects critical for project implementation, especially at the grassroots level.  

The evaluation results revealed a notable enhancement in participants' proficiency in safeguards and gender-related aspects, underscoring that this initiative transcends mere training—it has generated a substantial impact acknowledged as a momentum for gender equality by the participants. Further evaluations and observations highlighted the participants' enhanced capabilities and affirmed the training's relevance and practical utility.

"Through the Safeguards and Gender training, we gain insights into the risks, their levels, and the necessary mitigation steps. Additionally, on the gender aspect, we learn how to achieve gender equality. Gender is not just about being male or female, but about equalizing the roles and responsibilities of men and women," said Gea Andi Satria from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.