Gender and green jobs in agriculture

Abstract

abstract Greening the agricultural sector is envisioned to generate millions of green and decent jobs, benefitting African countries in particular, thus contributing to poverty reduction, promoting social and economic development, and offering solutions to some urgent environmental challenges. Compelling theoretical arguments presented in the literature make a strong case not only for greening the agriculture sector to create new green jobs and upgrade the existing ones, but also for an opportunity to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment, in a sector engulfed by major gender disparities. It is a sector in which women make up the majority of the labour force. This open forum piece examines the possibility of advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa through green jobs creation in agriculture. It draws on available existing literature and case studies from African countries. Among the major findings is that, if the right choices are made, the possibilities of green agriculture to deliver on the envisioned promises are immense. However, the challenges that must be overcome in agriculture appear to be more daunting than the possibilities. One of the recommendations is that the commitment to achieve gender equality should set a foundation for comprehensive, gender-responsive, and human rights-based green agricultural initiatives.