DAR ES SALAAM: WOMEN and girls remain at the heart of global food systems, yet they continue to face unequal access to land, finance, education, leadership opportunities and decision-making processes.
Across the world, evidence increasingly shows that achieving food security is impossible without addressing gender inequality.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women remain more food insecure than men globally, while closing gender gaps in agrifood systems could add nearly one trillion US dollars to the world economy and reduce the number of food-insecure people by 45 million.
Globally, about 673 million people experienced hunger in 2024, while millions more continue to struggle with moderate or severe food insecurity due to conflicts, climate change, economic shocks and persistent inequalities.
Women often bear the greatest burden because they are central to food production, food preparation and household nutrition, yet their contributions frequently remain undervalued and undersupported. The relationship between gender equality and food security has therefore emerged as a major international development priority.
Policymakers, development agencies and governments increasingly recognize that empowering women and girls is not only a matter of human rights but also an economic necessity capable of transforming food systems and strengthening community resilience.
Across Africa, women continue to drive agricultural production and rural livelihoods. Recent FAO findings indicate that approximately 76 percent of working women in sub-Saharan Africa are employed in agrifood systems, with women accounting for nearly half of the region’s agrifood workforce. Nevertheless, they still face barriers in accessing productive resources, financial services, technology, markets and leadership positions.
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Agriculture remains Africa’s largest employer, accounting for almost half of total employment on the continent. Yet despite their indispensable contributions, many women continue to perform unpaid or poorly remunerated work while carrying significant domestic and caregiving responsibilities.
These realities have reinforced calls for genderresponsive policies capable of unlocking women’s full potential in strengthening food security and improving nutritional outcomes. In Tanzania, women play a critical role in agriculture and household nutrition, particularly in rural communities where farming remains the backbone of livelihoods.
However, traditional practices, unequal access to resources and limited participation in decision-making processes continue to affect their advancement.
Recognizing these challenges, the country has taken another important step toward promoting inclusive and sustainable food systems.
Tanzania has begun promoting the voluntary guidelines on gender equality and Women’s and girls’ empowerment in the context of food security and nutrition, a framework intended to strengthen women’s participation and ensure that gender considerations remain central in food-related policies and programmes.
The guidelines focus on nine major thematic areas, namely food security and nutrition, leadership and participation, economic and social empowerment, access to and control over resources, education and capacity building, social protection and assistance, unpaid care and domestic work, eliminating violence and discrimination, and addressing conflicts, humanitarian crises and emergencies.
Recently in a dialogue of empowering women and girls in agrifood systems in Tanzania: national evidence and opportunities created by the CFS voluntary guidelines on gender equality.
Speaking on behalf of FAO Representative in Tanzania Dr. Nyabenyi Tipo, National Food Systems Specialist Julius Sonoko emphasized the importance of the guidelines in addressing key sectors that determine food production and nutritional outcomes.
“These guidelines are important because they touch on the entire food production system and the factors that determine food security and nutrition,” Sonoko said.
He noted that food security and nutrition remain at the centre of all nine thematic areas, stressing that women’s active participation is indispensable in achieving sustainable agricultural development and improved household well-being.
“Women play a significant role in food systems. Strengthening their participation will support authorities in formulating laws, policies and strategies that advance food security and nutrition for all,” he added According to Sonoko, empowering women within agricultural value chains creates broader social and economic benefits that extend beyond individual households.
Greater participation by women in food systems can increase productivity, improve dietary diversity and enhance resilience against climate-related shocks.
Meanwhile, National Coordinator for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls in the Context of Food Security and Nutrition, Jane Msagati of FAO, said the initiative comes at an important moment as Tanzania intensifies efforts to improve the welfare and economic position of women and girls.
“The guidelines have arrived at the right moment when the country is focusing on how to strengthen the position of girls and women in food security and nutrition matters,” she said Msagati noted that the project was officially signed in July 2025 and is expected to continue until 2027.
She added that implementation is supported through funding exceeding 600,000 US dollars, equivalent to approximately 1.5 billion Tanzanian shillings.
“The investment reflects growing recognition that sustainable food systems cannot be achieved without meaningful inclusion of women and girls,” she said He briefed, “Stakeholders believe that stronger institutional support, improved access to productive resources and greater representation in leadership structures will contribute significantly to reducing hunger and malnutrition,” The voluntary guidelines are also expected to strengthen collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations and local communities.
By integrating gender considerations into national planning frameworks, Tanzania aims to build more inclusive food systems capable of addressing current and future challenges.
As climate change, economic uncertainties and population growth continue to place pressure on global food systems, empowering women has become one of the most effective pathways toward resilience and sustainable development.
For Tanzania, ensuring that women and girls enjoy equal opportunities, access to resources and participation in decision-making processes may ultimately determine the country’s ability to achieve long-term food security and inclusive economic growth.
By embracing the voluntary guidelines, the nation is laying a stronger foundation for a future where no one is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development. Chief Community Development Officer Josiah Saoke described the voluntary guidelines as a crucial framework for government institutions and stakeholders seeking to promote equal economic opportunities for women, especially in sectors linked to agriculture, food production and nutrition.
“The government is expected to create an enabling environment where women can benefit from economic opportunities and contribute fully to national development,” Saoke said.
He acknowledged that certain cultural norms and traditions continue to hinder women’s advancement and limit their involvement in leadership and decision-making processes.
“Through these guidelines, we will continue creating awareness within communities while supporting government efforts to integrate gender considerations into planning and implementation processes. This includes recognizing the role of women and girls in nutrition and food security,” he explained.
Saoke further emphasized that changing attitudes at community level remains essential for ensuring that women can fully utilize available opportunities and actively participate in shaping local development priorities.
Empowering women and girls in agrifood systems is essential for achieving lasting food security, reducing hunger, and building resilient economies. Tanzania’s adoption of gender equality guidelines marks a significant step toward inclusive development, ensuring that women’s contributions are recognized, supported, and fully integrated into national food systems for sustainable growth.