Food systems must be transformed to feed the world without destroying the planet. Agroecological principles are central to creating and sustaining that change, but their transformative potential must be strengthened by better integrating critical gender and social inclusion considerations into agroecological approaches.

In order for agroecology to achieve its espoused twin aims of social and ecological wellbeing, women and other historically marginalized stakeholders must be empowered and centered as the movement’s protagonists.

The brief analyses the 13 principles of agroecology from a feminist perspective It outlines key gender issues that must be addressed to achieve an equitable and sustainable agroecological transition.

Agroecology offers opportunities for enhancing gender equality and social inclusion, but also poses risks if equality is not intentionally pursued. The priorities, capacities, knowledge, and agency of all genders and marginalized groups should be central to agroecological transitions, and considered with equal weight and legitimacy. Benefits, costs, and risks associated with agroecology must be equitably distributed. When efforts to challenge structural inequalities are explicitly integrated throughout the stages of an agroecological transition, agroecology holds promise as a more resilient and empowering movement.