Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
Background
The mandate of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy.
Areas of Focus
FAO seeks to promote gender equality and reduce discrimination against women through various activities that also support the elimination of violence against women. Activities focus on the reinforcement of food security and the economic rights of women, mainly by promoting their access to and management of economic resources, the reduction of women’s workload, access to healthcare, education, training and information, and the promotion of women’s participation in decision-making processes. In agriculture and rural settings where FAO operates, GBV is a pervasive and persistent reality.
FAO facilitates the preparation of Country Gender Assessments for agriculture and food security, as part of the implementation of its Gender Equality Policy. During 2017 and 2018 several CGAs were finalized with GBV analysis forming a part of the assessment.
FAO facilitates the preparation of Country Gender Assessments for agriculture and food security, as part of the implementation of its Gender Equality Policy. The CGA aims to inform evidence-based planning towards gender equality and women's empowerment to improve food and nutrition security and reduce poverty. The CGA usually relies mainly on secondary sources and existing data, although data collection is also conducted as part of the process, for example through key informant interviews to identify the most critical issues. The specific aspects looked at in each country depend on the available data and national priorities. During 2015, 5 CGA's - Albania, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe - were finalized with GBV analysis forming a part of the assessment.