Rising food prices and insecurity in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, highlight significant gender inequalities in agriculture. Rural women, who make up a large part of the agricultural workforce, face challenges such as limited mobility, low literacy, and cultural barriers that restrict access to resources and decision-making. Although they perform hard farm tasks, they are largely unrecognized in labor statistics. Initiatives like vocational programs and microfinance support aim to help, but long-term solutions require structural reforms, better education for girls, and increased participation of women in agricultural processes to enhance productivity. With coordinated policy action, improved education, and women’s own participation in agricultural institutions, Pakistan can empower rural women and boost national agricultural productivity.

Original Link: https://www.pakistangulfeconomist.com/2025/10/20/bridging-gender-gaps-in-agriculture/