Primary production in Vanuatu is also a family business, one in which all members of the family contribute in different ways. Women and men work together in farming crops and livestock, fishing and forestry; although at times their activities are different. Women will often take the food crops, livestock, fish and firewood to sell at the local market houses; while men arrange the sale of cash crops, livestock, fish, timber to the international market via exporters. Children, the elderly and people with special needs also provide assistance relative to their abilities and skills.
With the increasing numbers of Ni-Vanuatu taking part in labour mobility schemes, some new challenges have arisen for farming families. That it is predominantly men, often heads of households, travelling overseas has meant female heads of households, with the support of remaining family, often have to look after the farm business with limits to agricultural labour. Addressing other challenges to the national food system, such as the increasing impacts of climate change and natural disasters, also require action and engagement from all members of farming families.
This MALFFB Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) has been developed in recognition of the whole of family approach to farming in Vanuatu. lt serves to identify ways in which to not only grow but also transform the agriculture sector through engagement of all farmers, fishers and foresters- women, youth and people with special needs alongside men. Ensuring all members of the farming family have access to training, development of skills in financial literacy and business development, input into decision-making and resources to enable them to contribute to the productive sector with serve to support the transformation of the agriculture sector, shifting from subsistence to commercial agriculture; as well as ensuring its adaptability and resilience in the face of social and environmental change.
Read the full MALFFB Gender Equality Policy here.
