Women’s Agricultural Work and Nutrition in South Asia: Policy Priorities

Abstract

ANSA research has highlighted the linkage between women’s agricultural work and nutrition in South Asia. Official statistics acknowledge that agriculture accounts for a majority of women workers in these countries. Many women who work in agriculture, however, are not counted, and many others’ work is under-counted and often uncompensated. The division of agricultural activities is highly gendered and many of the tasks undertaken by women are not regarded as work by men and women, families and communities. For many rural South Asian women, global efforts for the recognition of women’s contribution to the care economy, or for the greater visibility of women’s reproductive labour, is a step too far. They struggle to have their contribution recognised in the productive sphere of the economy. This Brief highlights the following policy priorities: Recognition of women as farmers and agricultural workers; Agriculture policies and programmes to be gender-sensitive; Nutrition-specific behaviour change: addressing and redistributing the care deficit; Social protection and public investment: reducing women’s time burdens and expanding choices.