Women’s employment in agrifood systems

Addressing poverty and food insecurity requires policies and studies that transcend the agricultural sector and consider the entire agri-food system. Women play key roles as producers, processors, traders, and consumers, yet their work is often underreported. This study estimates, at the global and regional levels, the proportion of men and women employed in agri-food systems—distinguishing between agricultural production and off-farm activities—and analyzes changes between 2005 and 2019, as well as during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that, although labor force participation in the sector has declined, agri-food systems remain an essential source of livelihood, especially for women in low- and middle-income countries. However, they face more precarious working conditions than men. The study also highlights methodological challenges in measuring women's employment, relevant for designing more effective livelihood policies.