Women in Agriculture: Four Myths

This article views food security policy’s inclusion of women in agriculture with a critical lens, highlighting myths on women, agriculture, and the environment that continue to pervade policy and misguide it. Using empirical and conceptual literature, the article debunks the following four myths: 70% of the world's poor are women, women produce 60–80% of the food, women own 1–2% of the land, and women are intrinsically better stewards of the environment. The authors call for the promotion of nuanced and comprehensive data to enhance understanding of the impact of programs and policies, and to increase food security and gender equality.