The FAO recently held the 39th Session for the Committee on World Food Security in Rome.  In attendance were International Programme Director Hilary Ratcliffe, Programme Manager Anna McCormick and UN Representatives Cinzia Palmi and Dora Vrdlovec.

The first day, significantly being the International Day of Rural Women, opened with a session entitled "Accelerating Progress toward the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women". Jose Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the FAO opened the meeting stating that the "FAO recognises that the empowerment of rural women is essential. He stated "I can only imagine what women can do for themselves, their families and their communities when they are empowered; taking into consideration what they already managing to achieve". He said that the FAO want to build the capacity of women so that their food security is ensured. Priorities for the FAO, he states, are "rural employment and food processing and distribution systems; we want to put strategies in place so that women and children can live better lives in a rural environment".

Michele Bachelet, Executive Director, UN Women continued the session. By video link she delivered a statement to the room. "33% of the labour force in the world are women. These women fill empty bellies when they are running on empty themselves. They are overreaching with little resources. There needs to be inclusive economic growth and a better division of labour so that rural women can lift themselves out of poverty".

Etharin Cousin, Executive Director of WFP stated that we must collaborate for success, "We must use the expertise of each of our organisations for a successful outcome". 

H.E Zenebu Tadesse, Minister, Minstry of Women, Children and Youth of the FDR, Ethiopia stated that women develop nearly half of all food grown, yet they still lag behind. "Women need support, they need a voice and they need these things protecting".

Lani Eugenia, Secretary General of Indonesia Farmers and Fishers Society Organisation (WAMTI) expressed how difficult it is to mobilise women farmers so that they physically come to meetings and express their needs. There are two problems she states, firstly the mobilisation of the women and secondly women’s confidence in speaking up in the meetings. "In Indonesia, many developed networks are reaching rural areas and many women have a general consensus to come together as a collective and carry out business this way. This collective movement offers more strength, resilience and support than going it alone". 

Day 2 at the FAO addresses the importance of cooperatives and reiterates the needs of rural women. Hilary Ratcliffe also makes an inspiring speech at a roundtable event to government officials and public sector workers…..to be continued!