This report was prepared by International Finance Corporation as part of a work program on women’s employment in agribusiness funded by the World Bank Group’s Private Sector Window of the Umbrella Facility for Gender Equality.
Women play a crucial role in the agribusiness sector, and agriculture remains the most important source of employment for women in low- and middle-income countries. Women account for a significant proportion of the agribusiness workforce throughout different segments of the agricultural value chain, providing inputs and functions that are critical to business performance. In this context, leading agribusiness firms recognize that women’s employment is increasingly a strategic issue. Ensuring equal access to employment opportunities in agribusiness for women, and investing in better jobs and working conditions for women can lead to improved workforce and organizational outcomes that have a direct impact on the bottom line.
