Women in Agriculture: The Backbone of Southeast Asia's Economies
In Southeast Asia, women lead up to 30% of agricultural small and medium-sized enterprises (agri-SMEs). Despite their significant contributions, these women face barriers when accessing finance, extension services, information, and essential agricultural inputs.
Empowering women in agriculture is crucial for driving equitable economic growth, boosting rural economies, and investing in community-driven solutions. By addressing the challenges faced by women in the agrifood sector, we can pave the way for more inclusive and sustainable development.
Roundtable on Gender Equality and Climate Action
Last week, Grow Asia, in collaboration with Visa, hosted a pivotal roundtable on gender equality and climate action in Bangkok. This event was supported by the World Economic Forum and The ASEAN Secretariat. The roundtable brought together key stakeholders in the agri-finance ecosystem to discuss and address the ongoing challenges within our agrifood systems across Asia.
The event was a significant step towards understanding and dismantling the barriers that hinder the empowerment of women farmers and agripreneurs in the region. We extend our gratitude to our partners for their unwavering support in making this roundtable a success:
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Thai Wah Public Company Limited
International Institute for Sustainable Development
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
We invite you to join us in advocating for #Finance4Inclusion. Together, we can create a more equitable and prosperous future for women in agriculture across Southeast Asia. By empowering women and ensuring their access to necessary resources, we can unlock the full potential of the agrifood sector and drive sustainable growth for generations to come.