President Droupadi Murmu Highlights Gender Justice in Agriculture Sector

President Droupadi Murmu Highlights Gender Justice in Agriculture Sector

VoM News Desk | October 10, 2023 | 01:00 PM IST | Politics | Follow on Google News

President Droupadi Murmu Highlights Gender Justice in Agriculture Sector

President Droupadi Murmu Highlights Gender Justice in Agriculture Sector

President Droupadi Murmu underscored the significant role of the agriculture sector in promoting gender justice. Speaking at the inauguration of a four-day global conference titled ‘From research to impact: Towards Just and Resilient Agri-Food Systems,’ jointly organized by the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi, President Murmu emphasized the need to eliminate discriminatory social norms to establish just and resilient agri-food systems.

Empowering Women in Agriculture

President Murmu acknowledged the crucial contributions of women in every aspect of the food supply chain, from sowing and growing to harvesting, processing, and marketing. She highlighted that women play an indispensable role in ensuring that grains reach from the farm to the plate. Despite their pivotal role, women around the world face obstacles imposed by discriminatory social norms and barriers, including limited access to knowledge, ownership, assets, resources, and social networks. Their contributions often go unrecognized, and their role is marginalized within the entire agri-food system. President Murmu emphasized the need to change this narrative and provide women with the recognition and agency they deserve.

Gender Disparity in Agriculture

Citing data from the 2011 census, President Murmu noted that 55 percent of women were engaged in agricultural labor, and 24 percent were cultivators. However, the ownership of operational holdings by women was only 12.8 percent, highlighting the gender disparity in land ownership within the agricultural sector. Despite their substantial presence in agriculture, women’s recognition remains limited.

Government Policies and Land Ownership

President Murmu pointed out that government policies often link entitlement to land ownership, which does not align with the reality of women’s contributions in agriculture. While the government’s definition of a farmer recognizes those engaged in livelihood activities related to crop cultivation and primary raw material production, practical implementation of policies often hinges on land ownership, thereby overlooking many women who actively contribute to the sector.

Empowerment Through Legislative and Governmental Interventions

President Murmu indirectly referred to the recently passed Women Reservation Bill in India, noting that the country has been witnessing positive changes as women gain empowerment through legislative and governmental interventions. These measures aim to break down barriers and create a more equitable and just agricultural landscape, where women’s contributions are acknowledged, valued, and rewarded.

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