6.1. Issue Analysis

6. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

African women make up the majority of smallholder farmers and about twothirds of the agricultural labour force. In some countries, the share is even higher.

6.1. Issue Analysis

African women make up the majority of smallholder farmers and about two-thirds of the agricultural labour force. In some countries, the share is even higher.1906 Women often engage in subsistence agriculture and small livestock raising and feeding, and shoulder the responsibility of household food security. Meanwhile, although African women are responsible for the majority of food production, they have less access to and control over land and resources such as credit, fertilisers and technologies. Unequal access to and distribution of land cause food insecurity and negatively affect the realisation of the right to food. Food insecurity is also a consequence of gendered land distribution. After years of decline, food insecurity in many parts of Africa is on the rise owing to political instability and conflict, the impact of climate change and natural disasters, and unstable food markets and commodity prices.1907

The Maputo Protocol guarantees the right to nutritious and adequate food. Article 15 calls on States Parties to take adequate measures to provide access to clean drinking water, sources of domestic fuel, land and the means of producing nutritious food and establishing adequate systems of supply and storage to ensure food security.1908 The Protocol also promotes women’s access to and control over productive resources, such as land, and guarantees their right to property (Article 19(c)).1909 To that end, AWD goal 2 on agriculture and food security seeks to achieve food security and fight hunger; increase African women’s access to agricultural land and resources such as farm inputs, credit, technology, irrigation and water; and link women to markets and create new markets for their produce.

Over the Decade, the AU and its Member States made commitments to enhance women’s right to access, control and own land, and to recognise the important role women play in agriculture. In 2010, the African States adopted the Abuja Declaration on Development of Agribusiness and Agro-Industries in Africa, recognising the central role of women in agriculture and food production, as well as the need to promote and provide financial support for women