On October 23, 2024, FAO's Private Sector Partnership and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) and FAO's Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the International Agri-Food Network (IAFN) will host a side event at the 52nd Plenary Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS 52), titled "Translating the CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment into Action." This event will explore the pivotal role of multi-stakeholder partnerships in advancing gender equality within agrifood systems, with a focus on empowering women and girls through enhanced access to markets, finance, and entrepreneurship.

The event will highlight exemplary initiatives such as IFAD’s Gender Transformative Mechanism in collaboration with the State Women's Development Corporation of Maharashtra (MAVIM) in India, and the FAO-IAFN Women’s Accelerator Mentorship Programme for Women-led SMEs in Africa. These initiatives showcase how gender-responsive approaches are driving economic independence and sustainable agricultural practices for women across diverse regions.

Additionally, the session will emphasize the importance of building inclusive and scalable partnerships that foster significant progress toward gender equality, particularly in leadership and decision-making within agrifood systems. Insights on private sector engagement will be shared, demonstrating its role in supporting women agripreneurs and bridging gender gaps in access to resources and markets.

The event will take place on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 13:30 to 14:45 CET at the Ethiopia Room (FAO Headquarters, Rome).

It can also be attended online: Register here.