2026 has been declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026) by the United Nations — a global call to recognise and celebrate the vital role that women play in shaping and sustaining agrifood systems. Across regions, women are cultivating change: from managing crop and livestock production to driving innovation in fisheries, forestry, aquaculture, processing, and trade. Yet despite their essential contributions, their work often remains undervalued and under-supported.
Women farmers are central to achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — from ending hunger and poverty to promoting gender equality and sustainable ecosystems. But persistent barriers, including unequal access to land, technology, finance, and decision-making spaces, continue to limit their potential. The IYWF 2026 calls on governments, civil society, and the private sector to act — to make policies, investments, and partnerships that truly empower women across agrifood systems.
At ILC EMENA, we are proud to join this global effort by showcasing the work of our members who are leading the way toward a more inclusive and sustainable rural development. To mark the IYWF, we have launched this series 'Women Farmers' Stories' and will be adding stories throughout the year to this page. Browse the stories below and stay tuned to this page to learn what women farmers in our region are doing.
Through their initiatives, women farmers are claiming their space and redefining the future of agriculture and community resilience across our region.
Women beekeepers leading the way in Kosovo
In Kosovo’s Peja region, women farmers are transforming beekeeping into a sustainable and profitable enterprise. Through a partnership between CNVP Kosovo and Ekomjalta, led by local farmer Ardita Kastrati, they are improving bee health, planting chestnut trees and rapeseed to enrich pastures, and producing high-quality honey and bee feed. With modern tools, training, and stronger networks, these women are boosting incomes, protecting biodiversity, and leading the way in women-led rural development.
The Invisible Hands: The Women Sustaining Italy’s Countryside
In Italy’s Sarno countryside, the women of Masseria Pigliuocco represent the invisible strength behind rural life—guardians of biodiversity, tradition, and community well-being. Through the stories of Nonna Carmela, Nonna Corona, and Nannina, the blog sheds light on the unseen labor that sustains farms and families alike. Recognising their contributions is not only a matter of justice but essential to building truly sustainable agricultural systems.
Voices of Palestinian Women Farmers
Palestinian women farmers share their voices speaking about the daily challenges they face under complex and often difficult conditions under the Israeli occupation. Through their testimonies, they call on women everywhere to stand in solidarity with one another during the International Year for Women Farmers (IYWF).
Produced by the Palestinian Farmers Union (PFU), this video is part of a global effort to shed light on the resilience, strength, and leadership of Palestinian women who work the land.
Women turning Milk into Dignity and Stability in Palestine
Al-Tuwani Dairy Mall empowers women-led dairy production in Masafer Yatta, Palestine, transforming traditional livestock livelihoods into a stable value chain. Through partnerships like PARC, Save the Children, and BMZ, 197 households gained milking machines, solar energy, and market training, reducing losses and boosting incomes to around 1,500 NIS monthly for participants. A key WFP supply agreement ensures predictable demand, anchoring families to their land amid challenges.
A Farming Story that began on a Yemeni Rooftop
Lujain Abdulilah Al-Wazir launched Yemen's Al-Dhahab Al-Sari Farm from her Sana’a rooftop in 2019 with just five sheep and ten chickens, growing it into a thriving operation selling local eggs, milk, and more via Facebook. Post-graduation, she pursues a master's in chicken breeds while self-funding village visits to guide women livestock keepers. Her story exemplifies passion bridging academia and rural empowerment in pastoralism.
From Desert Roots to Sustainable Growth
In Jordan's harsh Wadi Rum desert, the Disi Women Villages Basin Cooperative redefines women's roles in agriculture, blending sheep wool, dairy, and farming with biodiversity protection. Vulnerable women propagate endangered trees, enhance food security, and deploy mobile sanitation units powered by renewables for dignified worksites. Their resilience advances economic empowerment, environmental care, and community stability.
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