The United Nations has designated 2026 as the “International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026)”, a global initiative to recognize the vital contributions of women in agrifood systems and to drive concrete action toward gender equality.
Announced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and partners, the year highlights how women farmers and workers across production, processing, trading, and entrepreneurship form the backbone of food security, nutrition, and rural economies worldwide.
Women’s Central Role in Agriculture
Across Asia and the Pacific, women are deeply involved in agriculture and food systems. In Southern Asia, for example, 71% of women in the labor force work in the sector, compared to 47% of men. Yet they often face significant barriers, including limited access to land and productive resources, unequal pay, exclusion from decision-making, and heavy burdens of unpaid care work.
These structural challenges limit not only women’s economic opportunities but also the overall productivity and resilience of agrifood systems.
FAO’s Call to Action
On International Women’s Day 2026, FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific urged greater collaboration to address these gaps. Alue Dohong, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the theme *Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls*, stating that advancing gender equality requires both recognition of rights and tangible steps to deliver justice and lasting change.
“The International Year of the Woman Farmer calls for collective action and increased investments from governments, partners, and the private sector to close gender gaps, strengthen women’s livelihoods, and promote their leadership across agrifood value chains,” Dohong noted.
The initiative aims to raise awareness of the challenges women farmers face — such as land tenure issues, financial and technical constraints, and limited access to services and education — while promoting policies and investments that empower them.
Relevance to Boralani
In our small island nation, women play essential roles in community gardening, fisheries, food processing, and market activities that sustain households and local economies. Many contribute to the cultivation of taro, cassava, leafy greens, and the preparation of traditional dishes featured at places like the Koromā Bar & Grill.
The International Year aligns closely with Boralani’s own efforts under the Boralani 2050 Project to build resilient, inclusive food systems. Greater recognition and support for women in agriculture — through improved access to training, resources, and decision-making roles — can strengthen our islands’ ability to withstand external shocks and ensure nutritious food for all families.
Moving Forward
The Year encourages scaling up gender-transformative approaches that engage entire communities, shifting social norms and power dynamics for broader impact. Speakers at FAO events, including representatives from Thailand, Nepal, and other partners, highlighted successful local initiatives and the need for sustained regional collaboration.
For Boralani, this is an opportunity to celebrate the knowledge and hard work of our women farmers, fishers, and entrepreneurs while identifying practical steps to remove barriers and amplify their voices.
As we observe the International Year of the Woman Farmer throughout 2026, let us commit to policies and community actions that value and empower every contributor to our food systems. True resilience is built when all hands — and all talents — are fully supported.