43 per cent of those in the agriculture workforce in developing countries are women

Gender parity in secondary school enrolment has improved globally, from 76 girls for 100 boys in 1991 to 95 for 100 in 2008. According to the 2012 World Development Report, women have seen substantial improvements in rights, education, health and labour opportunities over the past 20 years. Progress has been faster in low- and middle-income countries than in the developed world. But there are still persistent differences across all societies and all sectors. For example, women account for, on average, 43 per cent of the agriculture workforce in developing countries, yet are more likely than men to hold low-wage, part-time and seasonal employment. Disparities also persist in access to productive resources for women farmers; addressing these could increase yields and reduce the amount of undernourished by 100 million to 150 million people.