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Discussions of the term Gender Equality centre on the concepts and practices of equal opportunity within the workplace setting, but there is much more to equality than policies and procedures, important though they are. From its broadest perspective, Gender Equality is understood as the equitable impact of society on the rights, freedoms and interests of women. These are, indeed, lofty ideals, but what do they mean?
In many societies, the general pattern is that women have less personal autonomy, fewer resources at their disposal and limited influence over the decision-making processes that shape their societies and their own lives. From an agricultural perspective, global examples include:
- women's unequal participation in farm organizations;
- women's limited impact on farm policy;
- restrictions on women's ownership and control of resources;
- unjust legislation; and
- women's lower socioeconomic status and increased vulnerability to poverty and economic insecurity.
To reach and maintain Gender Equality requires a multi-dimensional change of attitude among men and women regarding women's participation in society and the economy.
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