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Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security

We support the EU global commitment to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition through a dedicated, reinforced science-policy interface and a fostered inter-policy dialogue.

  • Topic / Tool | Last updated: 04 Mar 2026
Gender Equality and Food systems

Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is vital to building fair, inclusive, prosperous and sustainable food systems.

Global Food and Nutrition Security

Brief me

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Women play important roles in all segments of food systems, as producers, processors, traders and consumers. Yet, gender inequalities are widely observed along the food systems to the detriment of women.

These gender inequalities are rooted in discriminatory rules, social and legal norms that restrict the productive potential of women and limit their rights, especially the access to resources and assets.

Both gender relations and food systems are evolving. Steering these dynamics to achieve the desired outcome is crucial. Food systems and gender equality are key to ensure access to adequate nutrition and healthy diets for all, decent livelihoods, income, environmental integrity, adaptation to climate change and and mitigation.

Achieving gender equality is an integrative part of food systems transformation. This needs to be addressed through a combination of short-term and long-term approaches at multiple scales intentionally designed to address the root causes of gender inequalities.

The “Gender Equality and Food Systems” topic of the Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security provides readers key knowledge about the links between gender equality and food systems. It highlights key policies and initiatives at both the international and EU levels while offering regular updates on publications and policy actions. This topic is structured around six sections: 1) Brief me, 2) Publications, 3) Policies, 4) Initiatives and Programmes  5) Online resources (documents, datasets and main existing fora/ community of practices), 6) News and events.

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Brief me on "Gender Equality and Food Systems"

Current food systems are marked by widespread inequalities, with gender disparities being particularly pronounced. While food systems and gender relations are undergoing rapid…

Publications on "Gender Equality and Food Systems"

Access a selection of publications on “Gender Equality and Food Systems” or explore all relevant publications on this topic .

Policies on "Gender Equality and Food Systems"

Initiatives and programmes on "Gender Equality and Food Systems"

Online resources on "Gender Equality and Food Systems"

This section provides guidance documents, datasets, e-learning materials and useful websites on gender and food systems.

News and events on "Gender Equality and Food Systems"

This section explores news and events from the EU, international organisations, traditional and social media.

Latest knowledge

PUBLICATION | 27 May 2026
From GAP III to GAP IV
This ODI Europe report provides an assessment of the implementation of the EU's third Gender Action Plan (GAP III, 2020–2027) and sets out proposals for its successor. Drawing...