Partnerships with Caribbean Women Towards Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods

With the continued impacts of climate change and economic crises, research tells us that it has become ever more critical to increase women’s empowerment. Gender equality and women’s empowerment have a multiplier effect for all of society - accelerated national and local economic growth, poverty reduction and improved food security for communities and families. Recognising that women are strongly engaged in key sectors as farmers, food producers and as local artisans selling traditional and eco-friendly products, UN Women Multi-Country Office – Caribbean and its implementing partners – the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Competitiveness Company, the Ministries of Agriculture, and the Dominica National Council of Women,  working with women farmers and artisans in The Bahamas, Dominica and Jamaica, sought to enhance these women’s direct access to the market place; to increase the women’s access to emerging technologies, knowledge and skills and principally, to strengthen women’s voice and leadership in their sector.