Opinion | Empowering rural women
Summary
Rural women in Nepal play a crucial role in agriculture and local economies, yet face gender disparities in land rights and access to resources. Empowering them with knowledge, technology, and inclusive services is essential for food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
Key Points
- Women constitute 52% of Nepal's population and nearly 70% of its agricultural labor force, playing a central role in rural livelihoods.
- Only 23.8% of Nepalese households report land or housing in the name of a female member, highlighting gender gaps in property ownership.
- Women farmers in Nepal face reduced access to mechanization, credit, and agricultural advisory services, limiting productivity and climate resilience.
- FAO Nepal supports gender-transformative approaches to empower rural women through access to skills, land, finance, climate-smart technologies, and market opportunities.
