Importance of gender in subsistence food nutrition and food security

All farmers face similar challenges from climate change and adverse weather, but the greater vulnerability of women as farmers is related to the differences between women and men when it comes to asset ownership. In agriculture, men usually have greater access to productive resources (for example, land, labour, capital, technology and knowledge); services (extension and credit); and decision-making opportunities. The differences are referred to as the gender gap. That means that many women who are subsistence farmers do not have the means to invest in modern agricultural technology and so they rely on traditional methods. Women could increase their yields on their farms by 20–30 per cent if they could gain access to the same resources as men. Women’s additional production could contribute to food and nutrition for as many as 100–150 million people. Women subsistence farmers therefore have tremendous potential to contribute significantly to the health and well-being of their communities.

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Women are the mainstay of development in many parts of the world, particularly in rural areas. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without the contributions of women. Women as farmers contribute to food security by making food available and accessible on a continuous basis to farm families and communities. In many developing countries they collect firewood and water for cooking and cleaning, both of which are crucial for daily health and survival for themselves and other family members, including the very young and the elderly. The contributions they make enhance the resiliency, self-sufficiency or independence of their households because they then do not have to rely on government support.

Since many large farms produce food for export or supply inputs for manufacturing industries, the availability of food on the local markets is highly dependent on small farmers.

Traditionally, farmers took the lead in saving quality seeds from one harvest to be used in subsequent plantings. Their contributions maintain the biodiversity and ecology in communities. In most instances, women’s roles are as seed keepers and propagators of biodiversity.

Women engaged in small-scale agricultural production are sometimes seen as being involved in home-based “activities” rather than in “work.” Their important roles are unrecognised, and they are seen as secondary farmers or home gardeners who do only backyard gardening, or as market vendors. Their work as small-scale farmers is not seen as contributing to diversity, sustainability, food and nutrition.

Women are expected to devote more time to non-market or home-based work such as childcare and household responsibilities. Therefore, they cannot compete with their male counterparts for jobs or even in terms of time spent on the farm. The result is a performance gap between men and women in terms of agricultural productivity. To maintain the flexibility they need to perform more efficiently in both their farm and non-farm work, many women choose to be self-employed and operate businesses from home. Women have become associated with cottage, or home-based, businesses.

The importance of home-based agriculture businesses or backyard gardens can be clearly seen in Bangladesh, where this type of production provides most of the country’s supply of firewood, fodder, medicine, fruit and timber.