Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr. Aishath Rameela has announced that 57% of registered farmers in the Maldives are women. She shared this information during the CFS Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women and Girls Empowerment forum, part of the Committee on World Food Security, held in Rome from October 21 to 25.
Minister Rameela highlighted the Maldives' ongoing efforts to enhance women's roles in agriculture and food security, emphasizing their crucial contributions to local food production, including tree cultivation and the sale of agricultural products. However, she pointed out that securing financial assistance remains a significant challenge for women in agriculture. To address this, the government has allocated 30% of its Farmers' Profit Loan Program specifically for women farmers.
Despite national policies aimed at empowering women, Minister Rameela acknowledged that many women are still hesitant to engage in matters of national importance or fully access economic opportunities. She stressed the importance of increasing women's participation in building a robust and equitable food system in the Maldives, urging them to take the initiative in developing and enhancing the country's agricultural landscape.
The Minister also explained that international organizations like UNDP and IFAD are working to provide women with access to technical and financial resources, supporting their leadership in food production.