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Brochure, flyer, fact-sheetBrochure
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Policy briefPolicy briefFacilitating gender responsive access to finance in the agrifood sector in sub-Saharan Africa
Making the African Continental Free Trade Area work for women: Policy brief
2024Also available in:
No results found.This policy brief focuses on promoting gender-responsive access to finance for women in the agrifood sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It highlights the critical contributions of women to agrifood systems, while also discussing the substantial challanges and barriers they face to accessing finance due to persistent gender-based constraints and structural inequalities. These include discriminatory social norms, limited opportunities for business development, and restricted ownership of property and assets. These obstacles are compounded by a lack of gender-responsive financial products and services. Formal banking institutions and products often de facto exclude women since they are unable to provide collateral, forcing many to rely on personal capital and informal savings schemes, which severely limits their business growth and potential.The brief proposes several solutions to address these barriers, emphasizing the importance of enhancing financial literacy among women and promoting formal microfinance and rural banking. It suggests implementing guarantee and insurance schemes tailored to the needs of women-led businesses and developing financial products and services that are responsive to gender-specific challenges. Additionally, the brief underscores the necessity of gender-responsive policy reforms and the engagement of multiple stakeholders to ensure inclusive financial inclusion.Furthermore, the policy brief advocates for increased representation of women in decision-making roles and the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws within the financial industry. It also calls for measures to ensure women's land and property ownership rights, recognizing that secure land tenure is crucial for their economic empowerment. By implementing these recommendations, the brief argues that bridging the financial gap for women in agribusiness can significantly enhance productivity, economic growth, and food security across Africa. -
BookletHigh-profileThe status of women in agrifood systems in sub-Saharan Africa
Overview
2025Also available in:
Building on the momentum generated by FAO’s 2023 Status of Women in Agrifood Systems global report, this report provides a comprehensive analysis of the status of women in agrifood systems in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting their vital yet often undervalued roles. It explores how gender inequality intersects with climate change, environmental degradation, and socio-economic factors to impact women’s livelihoods, food security, and access to natural resources. Drawing on African-led research and stakeholder consultations, the report identifies persistent barriers and showcases transformative opportunities for gender equality. Key themes include women’s work, food security and nutrition, natural resource rights, climate impacts, innovation, and women’s agency and collective action. It emphasizes the need for gender-transformative policies, improved data, and inclusive governance to foster resilient, equitable, and sustainable agrifood systems. The overview distills the main messages and recommendations.
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