Agriculture for All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
International Women’s Day 2025 is a rallying call to the global community to put their weight behind action ‘For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.’ Thirty years on from the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, gender equality remains a distant reality for millions of women and girls worldwide.
Despite significant progress in some areas, new and overlapping crises continue to undermine hard-won rights. Last year, 612 million women and girls lived in an armed conflict zone—a staggering 50% increase in just a decade. At the same time, climate change is intensifying inequalities, threatening the livelihoods of rural women who rely on agriculture to sustain their families and communities.
The Role of Women in Agriculture
In the worst-case climate scenario, an additional 158.3 million women and girls could be pushed into poverty by 2050. The majority of these women live in rural areas, where global warming is exacerbating existing inequalities that limit their potential.
Women perform up to 60% of agricultural labor in parts of Africa, yet their contributions are often invisible to policymakers. Expected to provide unpaid farm work while also bearing the burden of caregiving, their needs are overlooked and systematically undervalued.
This gender gap has major consequences for global food security. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that if women had the same access to resources as men, agricultural production could increase by 2.5 to 4%, lifting as many as 150 million people out of hunger and poverty. When women’s harvests increase, household incomes rise by 20-30%, leading to better nutrition, improved healthcare, and education for children—breaking the cycle of poverty for future generations.
Agnes’ Story
Agnes, a female farmer in Kenya, has transformed her livelihood with support from Haller’s programs. Through training and infrastructure development, Agnes has not only improved her farming practices but also inspired others in her community.
Agnes began working with Haller through the Guernsey Roof Guttering Program, through which her home was equipped with a roof that enabled rainwater harvesting. Agnes then attended sessions at the Haller demonstration plot, learning how to effectively manage her small poultry farm and diversify her farming activities.
Diversifying her farming methods, Agnes has built up resilience against unpredictable climatic conditions, and added further income streams to support her family.
Supporting Female Farmers Through Haller’s Programs
At Haller, we are committed to empowering female farmers with the knowledge and resources they need to build sustainable agricultural practices, adapt to climate change, and improve their economic independence. 80% of the farmers who attend our training sessions are women, learning practical techniques to combat climate-driven challenges and protect the natural resources they depend on.
In addition to training, we provide holistic support to rural women. In the past year:
448 women received healthcare support through our health outreach program.
415 women participated in family planning sessions, giving them greater autonomy over their reproductive health.
Through our partnership with the Samburu Girls Foundation, we have provided a safe space for survivors of FGM, helping them rebuild their lives and advocate for change within their communities.
The Path Forward
Without gender equality, the immense potential of female farmers will never be fully realized. But this isn’t just about boosting crop yields—it’s about securing a sustainable future for communities, strengthening economies, and ensuring food security for future generations.
By supporting initiatives like Haller’s, we can unlock the full potential of female farmers, helping them overcome systemic barriers and build resilience against climate change. Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl has the rights, opportunities, and empowerment she deserves.
Join us in making a difference today.
