International Year of the Women Farmer – 2026
(IYWF2026)
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026 to recognize, celebrate and support the vital contributions of women across agrifood systems worldwide. This initiative highlights the indispensable roles women play in agriculture while also addressing persistent gender inequalities that limit their opportunities and livelihoods.
Women are central to agrifood systems, from production and processing to trade and innovation. They include smallholder farmers, seasonal workers, fishers, pastoralists, beekeepers, foresters, processors, traders, scientists, traditional knowledge holders and rural entrepreneurs.
They are young and older women, indigenous women, women in local communities, women with disabilities, and refugee and displaced women. Their contributions sustain food security, nutrition and economic resilience, yet they often remain unrecognised.
The International Year of the Woman Farmer will promote action to close gender gaps, improve access to resources and services and support women’s leadership in agrifood systems.
The Intenational Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 represents a pivotal opportunity to move from simply recognizing women’s contributions to driving tangible, lasting action that transforms agrifood systems into more inclusive, equitable and sustainable systems for all.
IYWF 2026 aims to:
- Raise awareness of the essential roles that women farmers play in ensuring food security, nutrition, and rural economic resilience.
- Spotlight challenges faced by women in agriculture, including unequal access to land, finance, education, technology, markets, services, and decision-making spaces.
- Promote policy reforms, investments, and collective action to close gender gaps and empower women throughout agrifood value chains.
- Encourage greater inclusivity and gender equity within national and global agrifood policies and programs.
Who Are Women Farmers?
The term “woman farmer” within IYWF 2026 includes women engaged in diverse roles across agrifood systems — from smallholder and family farming, livestock and fisheries work, beekeeping, processing, trading, to rural entrepreneurship and leadership in agricultural sciences — whether in informal or formal sectors and regardless of land ownership status.
Women account for a significant portion of the global agricultural workforce in many regions, playing a central role in producing and processing food, sustaining households and supporting community wellbeing.
Despite this, they often work under precarious conditions and face systemic barriers that limit productivity, access to resources and economic empowerment.
Closing gender gaps in agriculture not only advances social justice but also boosts economic growth, food security and resilience of agrifood systems globally.
Global Participation and Activities
FAO, together with the other Rome-based UN agencies – the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) – will coordinate activities throughout 2026.
Governments, civil society, international organizations, private sector stakeholders and individuals are encouraged to engage in initiatives that
- Share stories and experiences of women in agriculture from around the world
- Organize events, workshops, training programs, and dialogues focused on women’s leadership, access to technology, investment readiness and sustainable practices
- Promote policy dialogue and advocacy to mainstream gender equality within agrifood systems