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Türkiye: the female co-op bringing in the dough
In Türkiye, two thirds of women are either unemployed or inactive. In rural parts of the country, they also face increased poverty. IFAD, together with the Turkish government, is supporting women in central Anatolia and helping them set up their own businesses.
What happens when rural women are asked: "Would you like to start an agri-business?"
In Myanmar’s Central Dry Zone, women farm labourers face seasonal hardships, low wages, and few job opportunities. With FAO’s support, a group of rural women formed a savings group that grew into the Myo Thitsar women-led oilseed processing business. Starting with small contributions, they built financial resilience, gained confidence, and launched groundnut oil production—reaching markets in Magway, Yangon, and Bagan. Today, they are breaking gender barriers, creating seasonal jobs for other women, and ensuring food safety with improved tools and knowledge. Their story shows how collective action and agri-opportunity can transform lives—delivering better production and better life for rural women.
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Heritage of the deep
Initially seeking a different path, Ryoujin returned to Jeju Island (Republic of Korea) and decided to become a haenyeo (or sea woman) like her mother and grandmother before her. Get to know her story.
Secrets of the Andean chakras
Kichwa women and their ancestral agricultural knowledge have sustained food security and self-sufficiency in this region of Ecuador for centuries. Their farms, locally known as chakra, were recognized in 2023 by FAO as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.
Rebecca’s story: a farm labourer, market vendor and mother of eight from Uganda
Through a project run by the International Labour Organization and funded by the Netherlands, Rebecca has learnt about financial literacy and improved agricultural practices which have helped her to keep her children out of child labour and in school.