[Music] gender inequality doesn't make sense on any level by marginalizing the rights of women we deny ourselves the opportunity to lift millions of men women and children out of poverty not to mention the chance of a just and fair World from birth girls and boys women and men are expected by Society to play certain roles and behave in certain ways based on Traditions religion and other beliefs these behaviors are learned and shape the gender Norms in a society unfortunately in many countries gender Norms create disadvantages for women often girls are not sent to school when
they become women they then have limited ability to earn money or realize their potential rural women play a major role in Agricultural Development however in many developing countries women cannot formally own land with without land they cannot get loans to invest in their Farms or businesses this also means they have no control over the use of land or the benefits that come from it men generally control the household decisions like how to use the family's assets these disadvantages are often reinforced by practices that limit women's access to services like training cultural beliefs can also restrict
women's opportunities such as in parts of Zambia where women cannot paddle their boats as it is is considered bad Omen the result of these issues women remain poor and agricultural production cannot reach its potential perpetuating poverty and hunger in the developing world the social norms that limit women's opportunities need to be understood and then Changed by taking a gender transformative approach we can influence social norms and Bridge the gaps in access to resources and services between men and women in a lasting manner change is needed on many levels and both men and women must be
involved for it to happen research and development organizations need to invest in programs that promote gender equality alongside improving productivity and incomes policies need to be implemented that increase women's access to services and resources communities need to support women as farmers and as Leaders increase women's voice and agency is a valuable end in its own right when development organizations policies and communities support the success of women we have a chance to reduce extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity for girls and boys women and men around the world [Music]
