In the 21st century, attaining gender equality has been placed on the top-most pedestal of global priorities. Within our own nation, fiery waves of feminism have been manifested by Aurat March and trending hashtags on social media. Then, why is it that within the agricultural sector, the backbone of our country, we are witnessing one of the worst scenarios of gender disparity in the world? And yet, no one is talking about it?
Research shows that 52 per cent of the agricultural sector is made up of women, but 80 per cent of them are unpaid. 60 per cent of the contributions women make to this field are left unpaid since they are regarded as family workers. However, due to inaccurate reporting by our nation’s systems, we conducted our own tests. Our survey’s results concluded that the majority does agree to the existence of sexism in the agro-based fields, while simultaneously depicting that many people are still oblivious to it. Interestingly enough, while this gender disparity exists in the nation as a whole, it varies provincially. Through gathering perspectives of people from different provinces and varying social classes, we were able to confirm that the problem does exist, although it is not discussed on the scale at which it exists.
Unfortunately, recognition and income are not the only aspects of this damaging problem. Access to training, machinery and the capacity to invest in new technology are only a few examples of the many ways in which women face discrimination within this sector. Although women constitute a significant part of the workforce, they own only 3 per cent of the land, in which too, they encounter many challenges.
A greater disappointment is how seldom this issue is discussed and addressed. The failure of governments and private research centres to gather data, which corroborates the other, highlights the lack of accurate documentation regarding the issue. This becomes evident as the government reports female labour participation rate as 18 per cent, compared to the Mahbub-ul-Haq Human Development Centre reporting the share of the female labour force in Pakistan as 30 per cent. However, the United Nations suggests this figure may actually be much higher, saying women make up between 52-60 per cent of the agricultural labour force.
On women, this propels a triple burden effect where they are compelled to work, alongside catering to the household and emotional requirements of the family. Under this systemic inequality, the women suffer. However, the detrimental repercussions do not end there. Failing to fulfill women’s rights in the agro-based fields reduces food security and land productivity, damaging the nation as a whole. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) also stated that these inequalities are one of the largest factors creating a slowing economy alongside hindering progress towards fulfilling United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2, “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”.
According to the government of Pakistan, this field provides employment to 45 per cent of the country’s labour force, such disparity between the genders is proving to be detrimental to our economic growth. Thus, the United Nations suggested solutions for Pakistan in the UN Report on the Status of Rural Women in Pakistan (2018). According to their recommendations, it is vital that women be given training in skills, outreach and content, to shift away from the focus on women’s reproductive roles and promote their image as major contributors to the economy. Thereby, providing women access to agricultural inputs (including technologies), financial inclusion (through mobile wallets and branchless banking), and removing conventional barriers to accessing credit for women is critical.
IFPRI has further suggested strengthening land tenure rights, monitoring progress, and empowerment through IFPRI’s Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI), which allows countries to document and adjust their policies. To maximise benefits, such plans need to be gender-sensitive and pro-poor targeting. These steps may be implemented through the IFPRI’s program for Pakistan: PACE (Pakistan Agricultural Capacity Enhancement), ensuring women’s needs are equally considered in policies and involving women at multiple levels of policy-making and planning, is especially necessary.
Change starts with you.
By personally enacting the change, we wish to see, we can maneuver society towards progress. Regarding the issue of gender disparity in the agriculture industry, individuals have many avenues to stimulate reform including raising awareness and investing personally in women in this field. These investments can take the form of financially supporting women in agriculture by funding them directly or by actively choosing to buy from them.
While creating policies and launching large-scale programs is the responsibility of the government and independent businesses, individuals can influence and encourage the government to implement such solutions. Through campaigning and promoting policies that better cater to women in agriculture and elevate their position, we can bring positive change to our country.
Only through collaboration between the government, private investors, and the agricultural community of Pakistan, we can hope to usher in a new era of productivity. Involving women in the agriculture sector is pivotal to accelerate our advancements and overcome our shortcomings. In the words of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you.”
Minahil Mobeen & Mishka Farhan
— The writers are
freelance contributors.
