This country gender assessment responds to the requirements of the FAO Policy on Gender Equality 2020–2030. By providing information and analysis on the gender dimensions of the agriculture and rural sector, it aims to support the formulation and implementation of gender-responsive policies, strategies, and projects at country level, in line with national development priorities and FAO’s mandate.

FAO Policy on Gender Equality identifies gender mainstreaming and women-targeted actions as a twofold strategy for the achievement of gender equality in the agricultural and rural sector. This book reflects on the FAO gender assessment of the agricultural and rural sector of Lebanon, explaining by that the gender mainstreaming across different levels, including the political and institutional ones in addition to providing a detailed and statistical gender analysis for the engagement of women in the agricultural sector, along with its various restrictions and implications on the rural community.

This Country Gender Assessment (CGA), conducted in Palestine’s West Bank and Gaza Strip, examines existing gender roles and gaps between men and women in agriculture and rural development and explores practical needs, strategic interests and perspectives on gender equality. The Assessment presents existing policies, strategies, plans and programmes and highlights the main challenges and opportunities for enhancing gender equality in agriculture and rural development. The CGA concludes by discussing the findings and providing a list of recommendations.

The Maldives Country Gender Assessment of Agriculture and the Rural Sector (CGA-ARS, or CGA) report was prepared to inform the country-level planning of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in line with the national development priorities of Maldives and FAO’s corporate Country Programme Framework (CPF) guidelines1 and as mandated by FAO’s Policy on Gender Equality. The objective of the report is to highlight existing gender inequalities in agriculture and the rural sector in Maldives. The CGA was commissioned by FAO Sri Lanka under the overall supervision of Nina Brandstrup, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and Maldives. The report was drafted by Aminath Latheefa, National Consultant, under the direct guidance and with close engagement of Shafia Aminath, FAO National Correspondent in Maldives. The technical review was carried out by Tina Jayaratnam, Liaison Officer and Gender Focal Point of FAO Sri Lanka and Clara Mi Young Park, Regional Gender Officer, with Bettina Gatt of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. This comprehensive gender analysis of the agriculture and rural sectors was made possible thanks to the cooperation and response of the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture in Maldives, state service providers, non-governmental and civil society organizations, and farmers who shared their experiences and provided valuable input on gender dynamics in the fisheries and agriculture sectors.

This abstract outlines the objectives of an assessment conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nation in Palau. The assessment identified three main challenges: firstly, the need to acknowledge and reflect the contributions of women to household and rural economies in policies, strategies, plans and programs. Secondly, gender inequalities limit the capacity of women in Palau to develop their potential. Finally, the recognition of gender equality as a driver to sustainable development is beginning to be incorporated into public policies, strategies, plans and programs. These findings highlight the importance of addressing these challenges in order to achieve greater gender equality and empowerment for rural women in Palau.

The objective of the assessment is to analyse the agriculture and rural sectors from a gender perspective at the macro level (policy), meso level (institutional) and micro level (community and household). The Assessment seeks to identify gender inequalities in access to critical productive resources, assets, services and opportunities. The assessment looks at the priorities, needs and constraints of both women and men in agricultural and rural communities, and the gaps that exist in responding to these issues. It also provides recommendations and guidance to promote gender sensitivity in future programmes and projects, and identifies possible partners for gender-related activities. This Assessment is also intended to raise awareness about gender issues among policy-makers, FAO officers, NGOs and community-based organizations (CBOs) in Tonga. It provides background and gender-related information and can be used as a tool to mainstream gender perspectives in future policies, projects and programmes in ways that empower rural women.

The economic contribution of women to agricultural and irrigation activities and to the livelihoods, well-being and food security of families and communities is often unrecognized, invisible and mostly undervalued. Moreover, the role of women in fetching, preserving and managing productive and non-productive water often goes unrecognized and understudied. Hence, this assessment aims to shed light on the different contributions and benefits of women and men in relation to agricultural roles, responsibilities and resources, focusing mainly on productive agricultural resources, including water, to inform more efficient, equitable and gender-responsive programmes in the future.