Coalition of Women in Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Rural Development and Women’s International Organizations recommendations submitted at the World Food Summit, Rome Nov 16-18, 2009

PREAMBLE

On behalf of the 'COALITION OF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, FORESTRY, RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ', we urge Governments meeting here at the World Food Summit  to consider the  recommendations listed below.

We propose that these recommendations should constitute an essential component of policy and management strategies. A reformed FAO, in a strengthened Committee on Food Security will be held accountable by women in agriculture.

KEY MESSAGES

  1. Women must have equal representation in policy and decision making in addressing agriculture and food security, and they must be considered as a priority in new policies on food security.
  2. The impact of climate change on women food producers should be recognized, and their contribution to enhancing resilience should be valued. 
  3. Because of individual/collective knowledge and experience of rural women's organizations and networks, they must be regarded as equal partners in program development and implementation.
  4. Cultural identity and tradition of individuals, community and local knowledge that is in harmony with nature and promotes sustainable farming approaches based on both scientific and indigenous knowledge, gender equality and food security, should be kept alive.

Therefore, we, the COALITION OF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, AND WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS urge governments to:

  • implement, without reservations, all legal instruments on women's rights pertaining to food security.
  • set in place structures and mechanisms to ensure women's control over resources and benefits from climate change mitigation and adaptation funds through women's groups.
  • government and development  agencies should promote the use of local and traditional seed varieties by setting up national seed banking systems and other sustainable development mechanisms that support biodiversity
  •  women  must participate fully in the management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects.