Gender and food systems: Are global recommendations for sustainable food systems transformation also gender transformative?

Abstract

The globally dominant industrialised food system, which encompasses the interrelated actors and activities involved in producing, processing, distributing, preparing and consuming food, in its current form contributes to the global burden of food insecurity and malnutrition, and to environmental degradation and social inequities. Women are critical actors across all aspects of this food system, yet food systems also drive gender inequality, negatively impacting the health and wellbeing of women and girls globally. Addressing these systemic gender inequities is essential for food systems transformation, which requires the adoption of gender-transformative approaches (GTAs) in policymaking. This study assessed the level of gender inclusion in existing global-level food systems policy recommendations to identify gaps in the achievement of GTAs within sustainable food systems policymaking. We undertook a three‑step methodological approach: (i) identification and adaptation of a gender inclusion assessment tool through a scoping review; (ii) identification of global-level policies addressing food systems challenges; and (iii) gender inclusion policy analysis using the adapted assessment tool. The analysis revealed that most food systems policies recommended at the global level fail to integrate GTAs. Policies that were assessed showed limited consideration for gender equality and did not effectively address systemic gender inequities. The findings suggest that GTAs should be prioritised in food systems policymaking to address gender inequalities. There is scope for considerable gender inclusion assessment tool and framework development, but the gender inclusion assessment tool used in this study provides a foundational framework for future gender inclusion analysis in global food systems policy development.