Experts Urge Boost in Support for Rural Women
If women farmers were given the same access to land, tools and credit as men, the boost to crop yields would dramatically cut world hunger, but this must be done fast before climate change closes the window of opportunity, hunger experts said.
Agricultural yields would increase by almost a third if women had the same access to resources as men, said Neven Mimica, European Union commissioner for international cooperation and development.
"As a result, there would be up to 150 million fewer hungry people in the world," he told a meeting of experts and government representatives, gathered at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to find ways of helping women farmers.
Children also have significantly better prospects for the future when their mothers are healthy, wealthy and educated, he added.
"If we are serious about putting an end to poverty and hunger once and for all, then we all need to step up our support for rural women," he said.
Cecilia Schubert