Gender Equality in Agriculture: Empowering KP's Rural Women Through Training, Finance, and Market Access
Celebrating Women's Pivotal Role in KP Agriculture
UN Women, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Agriculture Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), recently hosted a provincial event titled “Seeds of Change: Women Shaping Agriculture in KP – Empowering Farmers, Enriching Communities, Transforming Futures.” Held in Peshawar to mark World Food Day and the International Day of Rural Women, the event celebrated and aimed to strengthen the vital role of women farmers in driving sustainable agriculture, enhancing food security, and promoting gender equality in rural communities. Speakers like Dr. Sumera Shams from the KP Commission on the Status of Women and Zainab Qaiser Khan from UN Women reaffirmed commitment to inclusive growth, ensuring rural women in areas like Khyber, Bajaur, and Mohmand have equal access to resources, decision-making, and opportunities.
Addressing Challenges and Empowering Through Targeted Interventions
Ms. Akmatbek Kiyal, Head of FAO–KP, highlighted the critical contributions of women in agriculture while acknowledging persistent challenges such as limited access to resources, mobility restrictions, market exclusion, heavy workloads, and climate vulnerability. FAO’s targeted interventions, aligned with the Beijing Declaration, aim to empower these women through inclusive support and climate-resilient agricultural practices to improve livelihoods and secure food. Panel discussions focused on gender-inclusive policies and featured women farmers from merged districts sharing how UN Women and FAO initiatives in digital literacy, financial inclusion, and market access have profoundly transformed their lives. An exhibition showcased diverse agricultural and value-added products, emphasizing improved value chains through training and market linkages.
Financial Inclusion and A Vision for an Equitable Future
A key highlight was the recognition of women farmers who successfully qualified for Akhuwat microfinance interest-free loans after completing financial literacy and business planning training under UN Women’s initiatives. These women received cheques to expand their agricultural enterprises, marking a significant milestone in advancing women’s financial inclusion in rural KP. Dr. Amber Ali Khan, Secretary for Agriculture, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, concluded the event by reaffirming the government's commitment to strengthening women’s access to training, credit, and markets. He emphasized a shared vision for an equitable and resilient agricultural future where women farmers are not merely participants but recognized leaders, underscoring their essential role in improving productivity, ensuring food security, and strengthening local economies.
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