Poor rural women in developing countries are critical to the survival of their families. Fertile land is their lifeline. But the number of people negatively affected by land degradation is growing rapidly. Crop failures, water scarcity and the migration of traditional crops are damaging rural livelihoods. Action to halt the loss of more fertile land must focus on households. At this level, land use is based on the roles assigned to men and women. This is where the tide can begin to turn. In the last five years, 52 countries have improved women’s access to decision-making, local governance and resources. They have; strengthened the control and ownership of land, boosted access to financial, extension and market services and the use of new technologies.
Women still lag well behind men in each of these areas but where these efforts have been taken seriously, for example, in India, Morocco, Senegal and Uganda, the results are phenomenal.
As we embark on a new strategy for 2018-2030, we must build on these lessons with a focused, systematic and practical approach that addresses land resources.
We must build on the global consensus around the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly on Gender and on Land Degradation Neutrality to turn dreams into reality for poor rural women. Every woman and every family can have a fighting chance for a decent life.