FAO at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70)

The 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), held from 9 to 19 March at United Nations Headquarters in New York, brought together Member States, UN entities, civil society and youth organizations to advance global commitments to equality between men and women. At the Commission, which this year chose the theme of ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, FAO highlighted the essential role of rural women and girls in shaping global agrifood systems.

Throughout CSW70, FAO convened and contributed to high-level discussions, youth dialogues and multistakeholder events focused on bridging the gap between men and women in agrifood systems, women's and girls' empowerment across agrifood systems as the world observes the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF).

Spotlighting the International Year of the Woman Farmer

As part of its CSW70 engagement, FAO co-organized a high-level side event titled Advancing justice for women farmers: Celebrating the 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer. Organized with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Sweden, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, World Food Programme, United Nations Women and the African Women Leaders Network, the event examined the barriers women face across agrifood systems, including limited access to resources and basic infrastructure.

Speakers emphasized the need to address the challenges women face to strengthen their ability to contribute fully to global agrifood systems. The dialogue underscored the urgency of advancing progress towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that better support women farmers and reaffirmed their pivotal role in driving this transformation.

Image caption: FAO and partners spotlight the International Year of the Woman Farmer during a high-level CSW70 event. © Emily Steinberger

Building partnerships through the Commit to Grow Equality initiative

FAO also hosted the event Commit to Grow Equality (CGE): Forging partnerships and enhancing investments in agrifood systems during the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The discussion highlighted the indispensable contributions of women in agrifood systems and presented the Commit to Grow Equality initiative as a platform that can strengthen the implementation of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, leveraging investments and partnerships for tangible change.

In her opening remarks, Angélica Jácome, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations, reminded participants that the International Year of the Woman Farmer "is more than a 365-day engagement; it is a movement sparked by our actions in 2026 that transforms into the commitment of a generation to materialize change."

Following an engaging panel discussion where partners showcased their efforts and commitments, Clara Park, FAO Senior Gender Officer, emphasized that "Commit to Grow Equality is a pathway to turn advocacy from the International Year of the Woman Farmer into concrete action through increased investments, new partnerships or alignment with CGE." The event demonstrated that advancing equality between women and men remains one of the most cost-effective and impactful strategies to transform agrifood systems worldwide.

Image caption: Panelists discuss advancing gender-transformative investments through the Commit to Grow Equality initiative at CSW70. ©Paola Chapdelaine

FAO's statement in the CSW70 General Discussion

During the Discussion of CSW70Koloina Andriamanondehibe, FAO Junior Professional Officer, reaffirming the Organization's commitment to ensuring that rural women are recognized as key agents of change in transforming agrifood systems.

Image caption: FAOLON Koloina Andriamanondehibe delivers statement during the CSW70 General Discussion. ©FAO/LON