Gender inequalities in Rural Employment in Malawi - an overview

Abstract

This country profile aims to contribute to a better understanding of gender inequalities in rural settings in Malawi, and to serve as a policy support tool to better integrate gender equity and decent rural employment in agriculture and rural development policies and programmes. Malawi is a predominantly rural country with an agriculture-based economy. Rural areas in the country are characterized by poverty and a lack of decent work opportunities, the majority of which are in the agricultur e sector. Women are often more disadvantaged when it comes to decent work opportunities and face greater difficulty translating their labour into paid work and their paid work into higher and more secure incomes, which would ultimately lead to enhanced food security. Efforts are therefore needed to promote gender equity in policies and programmes, in order to support decent employment in rural areas.