Women farmers caring for people and planet: Sustaining land, water and biodiversity – Issue 2

The year 2026 has been declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) by the United Nations General Assembly, recognizing women farmers’ essential contributions to food systems, rural economies, and environmental stewardship worldwide. It is a call to confront the structural inequalities that continue to limit women’s rights, opportunities, and leadership across food and agricultural sectors.

This second issue of the UN Women portrait series was created to place the diversity of women farmers’ voices and experiences at the center of global dialogues and action on sustainable development and food systems. While each portrait reflects an individual journey, together these stories demonstrate the broader impact of investing in women’s leadership, resilience, and economic empowerment.

Published to mark the 2026 International Day of Rural Women, this issue showcases how UN Women’s work with rural women farmers is advancing climate-resilient agriculture, food security, and sustainable livelihoods, contributing to more inclusive and sustainable development outcomes. These are stories of resilience, personal development, collective action, leadership, and dignity of women who are transforming rural economies, leading cooperatives, preserving biodiversity, managing water resources, and creating opportunities for future generations.