The purpose of the working group is to create an effective global voice for commitment to increased gender equality and women's empowerment through increased access to and participation in Rural Advisory Services. This will be pursued by supporting the GFRAS mission and functions of advocacy with regard to gender equality in rural advisory services.
Concept note of the working group (pdf 190KB)
With the UN Millennium Development Goals, gender equality was placed high as a priority for global development through the third goal: PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN. Lately there has been much attention also to women's equal economic opportunities, and women's role in agricultural production is becoming a centre of attention in this perspective, as well as in the perspective of improving food security and nutritional status for poor families.
The mission of GFRAS is to provide space for advocacy and leadership on rural advisory services (RAS) within the global development agenda. The GFRAS Steering Committee decided to increase attention to gender equality in advisory services and to provide guidance and advocacy in this area.
There are several organisations that have initiatives or interest in gender equality in agriculture. Some examples are listed here: