CGIAR Gender Accelerator: A Tool to Advance Gender Equality Research in Agri-Food Systems
To advance the participation of women, the youth, and minority communities in the agricultural sector, measures must be taken to recognize and break down the barriers that hold them back. Experts in the agricultural sector agree that even as they constitute a significant percentage of the agricultural workforce, women face persistent challenges. The picture that emerges is a lack of due recognition of their presence and their challenges, such as limited access to resources and knowledge.
Delegates following the strategy session on enabling global gains towards gender equality, youth and social inclusion at the recent CGIAR Science Week held at the UN Campus in Nairobi in April 2025
In a parallel session convened during CGIAR Science Week, ‘Enabling global gains towards gender equality, youth, and social inclusion in agri-food systems,’ speakers convened to discuss how to bridge the gaps in gender equality and the inequities in food systems. The CGIAR Gender Impact Platform prioritizes effective, strategic research efforts that will go toward enhancing gender equality, social inclusion, and opportunities for youth
In accompanying the CGIAR Gender Impact Platform, the CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion Accelerator — or GENDER Accelerator for short — serves as a “center for excellence,” according to CGIAR Gender Director Nicoline de Haan. The Accelerator is a platform for researchers and experts to serve as think tanks or build capacity among its stakeholders. Analyzing social and gender norms that influence the environments in which women and youth are shaped can help CGIAR and its partners identify trends and seek missing data. These findings will be relevant in areas where data is limited, such as with youth in the agricultural sector. The accelerator also compiles existing research to address the unique conditions in the food, water, and land systems (FLWS) that make it difficult to implement solutions