First gender profile of rural Kosovan women shows gaps and opportunities for better livelihoods

Women are vital to the livelihoods and the economies of rural areas and smallholder agriculture in Kosovo¹, yet they do not benefit equally with men from their labour and contributions. Several factors hinder their access to knowledge, information, agricultural inputs, tools and services, and finance. 

To map the situation and provide a possible way forward, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released the Kosovo gender profile for agriculture and rural livelihoods that aims to improve knowledge on gender related issues in agriculture, with special attention to the state of digitalization. The publication provides evidence based recommendations for advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in agriculture and rural development for improved strategies and programmes.

In Kosovo, this was the first time a comprehensive gender assessment was carried out on agriculture and rural livelihoods.

It was found that Kosovan women, as compared to men, are less likely to be engaged in formal employment, own land or be registered as farmers, possess any property, and have the digital skills required in the labour market. These and many more conditions are contributing to the gender gap – the inequalities faced by women –adversely affecting rural women’s entering and participation in development opportunities.

“Over 60 percent of Kosovo’s population lives in rural areas, thus, improving the economic conditions and outlook for rural women should have a major positive impact on the whole society,” commented Naser Krasniqi, FAO Local Team Leader. “The intention is clearly there. Kosovo is committed to the realization of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has worked to align its frameworks on gender equality with key international and European standards.”

Krasniqi added that “Reducing the gender gap would positively affect both, family well-being and the economy because of an increased productivity.” 

Issues to be addressed

Kosovo lacks sex-disaggregated data, among other demographic and social indicators, which hinders tailored, evidence based policymaking to address barriers. 

Women and men do not participate equally in the labour force: women have substantially higher rates of inactivity and unemployment. This factor and the tendency for women to work in lower paid positions, contribute to less income and poverty among some women. Women tend to have less pathways to and ownership over important assets including property, land, equipment and inputs, which are necessary to expand and define their engagement in agricultural labour and business management. Women’s unequal ownership of property, combined with low educational levels, limit their taking advantage of financial support mechanisms, as well as their life choices and opportunities.

Additionally, discriminatory gender roles hinder rural women’s access to knowledge, information, and opportunities for expanding their businesses and generating income. Lack of transportation hampers women’s entry into markets, and creates an obstacle to acquiring information, education, training, networking, interacting with relevant institutions, and other opportunities that could support their agricultural activities. Given rural women’s comparatively lower levels of education, limited time, poor opportunities for finance, and discriminatory behaviours, it is even less likely that they can use information and communication technologies for economic activities.

What can be done?

Promoting gender equality, women’s rights as human rights, and eliminating discrimination against women are central to FAO’s mandate, as they contribute to achieving food security, increasing agricultural productivity, and improving the lives of people in rural areas. 

Thus, the Kosovo gender profile for agriculture and rural livelihoods includes a set of targeted recommendations to narrow the gender gap for the benefit of rural communities and economies in general. 

These include, but are not limited to, the prioritization of national targets for achieving SDG 5 on gender equality, facilitating women’s employment, expanding and increasing social protection support mechanisms and tackling discriminatory behaviours and assumptions through awareness raising campaigns.

Increasing women’s participation in decision‑making at all levels is key, just as are improving their gaining information, and financial support and investments. Better availability of affordable public transport in rural areas can further support women in participating in education, information, advisory and other services, political decision making processes, civil society activities, markets, business networks and health care.

Rural women should be consulted separately by public and municipal bodies to identify their needs and supported through affirmative measures to participate in agricultural and economic development activities.

Development actors, including FAO, are expected to support all these measures, as well as the development of a gender responsive agriculture strategy. As a positive development, the new agricultural census collects data disaggregated by gender, which should ease the formulation and implementation of inclusive and equitable policies.

¹All references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).