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Understanding the gender gap in the Colombian agricultural sector

Author

Listed:
  • Rueda-Gallardo, Jorge
  • Mateus, Daniel Vergara
  • Piñeiro, Valeria
  • Escalante, Luis Enrique

Abstract

We live in a complex world facing uncertainties, crises-including conflict and extreme weather- and a global economic slowdown. These challenges highlight the importance of understanding the agricultural sector's contributions to the economy and designing effective policies to support its resilience and growth. Within this context, examining the gender gap in the Colombian agricultural sector takes on even greater relevance. The sector plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, contributing 6.4% of the total value-added in 2019 and providing 82.1% of agricultural employment in rural areas. However, a significant gender gap exists, with women facing disadvantages in terms of participation, wages, and income generation. Women's participation in the agricultural workforce is significantly lower than men's. In 2019, only 6.1% of employed women worked in agriculture, compared to 21.6% of men, creating a gap of 15.4 percentage points. This disparity is the largest among all the economic sectors analyzed. This lower participation translates into an unequal distribution of labor income. While the agricultural sector accounts for 11.3% of the total labor income for men, it contributes only 2.6% for women. Women in agriculture also earn considerably less than men. The average salary for women in the sector was USD 117.4, while men earned USD 168.7, a 43.7% difference. These disparities are persistent across different areas and qualification levels. To promote a more equitable and resilient agricultural sector, it is essential to understand and address the underlying causes of this gender gap. This paper aims to comprehensively analyze the gender gap in Colombian agriculture by examining its various dimensions and identifying potential solutions. By highlighting the disparities in participation, wages, and income generation across different areas and qualification levels, this paper aims to inform the design of policies and interventions that promote gender equality, empower women in agriculture, and enhance the sector's overall contribution to the country's social and economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Rueda-Gallardo, Jorge & Mateus, Daniel Vergara & Piñeiro, Valeria & Escalante, Luis Enrique, 2025. "Understanding the gender gap in the Colombian agricultural sector," LAC working papers 34, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:lacwps:174402
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    File URL: https://hdl.handle.net/10568/174402
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    Keywords

    agricultural sector; gender; employment; policies; Colombia; Americas; South America;
    All these keywords.

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