Today IFPRI launched its 2012 Global Food Policy Report, entitled Walk the Talk. The report explores the world food situation in 2012; highlights several key issues, including youth 
employment in agriculture, and a green economy; and looks ahead to scenarios in the future of food.
Chapter 4 in the report, entitled “Closing the Gender Gap” focuses on women in agriculture. It points to the growing attention that was given to gender in 2012, particularly through the FAO’s State of Food and Agriculture Report 2010-2011, and the World Bank's Development Report 2012.
In addition, it highlights the development and rollout of the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index, which is being used to measure progress towards inclusive agricultural growth in the 19 USAID Feed the Future countries, as well as the issuance of a CGIAR gender strategy by the Consortium Board in November 2011.
Research and development programming is thus moving from gender-blind to gender-aware, though more needs to be done. In particular, a more solid evidence base on gender in agriculture needs to be built (in particular through more detailed, robust, and longer-term analyses of both quantitative and qualitative gender data); women’s control over assets needs to be strengthened (including natural resources, tools and technologies, and financial, human and social capital); and partnerships with women’s organizations need to be formed (though enlisting men’s support is crucial). A commitment to gender-responsive and gender-transformative agriculture can improve agricultural productivity, food security, and nutrition and thus cannot be ignored.
The event page for today’s launch event can be found here: http://www.ifpri.org/event/launch-ifpri-s-2012-global-food-policy-report
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