# Mainstreaming a gender perspective into food system policies for healthy diets in low- and middle-income countries: a policy landscape analysis

## TL;DR

This study examines how food system policies in low- and middle-income countries address gender issues to promote healthy diets, finding that women remain underrepresented and face systemic discrimination.

## Contribution

This is the first independent policy landscape analysis of gender mainstreaming in food systems for healthy diets.

## Key findings

- Women are underrepresented in policy-making processes and face systemic discrimination in food systems.
- Very few policy documents use sex-disaggregated data despite its importance for evidence-based policymaking.
- Mainstreaming gender in food policies can improve healthy diets and address poverty, health, and climate change.

## Abstract

Globally, gender inequalities and inequities persist in the food system, with women lacking access to productive resources and decision-making roles. Policy can help address these issues, but the extent of gender consideration in policy in low- and middle-income countries remains unclear.

The study aimed to document how governments are addressing gender issues in food systems for healthy diets and suggest ways to enhance gender responsiveness of policy with specific reference to fruit and vegetables.

We used the Food Systems Framework and a gender and food systems analytical framework to analyze food systems policy documents relating to fruits and vegetables in Benin, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Data were synthesized in a matrix to identify strengths and gaps in current policies to support vegetable production, distribution and consumption as part of healthy diets.

Although there was some diversity in approaches to gender in the policies in study countries, there were common findings across countries including the underrepresentation of women in policy-making processes, and limited integration of gender issues in food system policy that limits their influence on healthy diets. Very few policy documents explicitly draw on sex-disaggregated data despite its role in evidence-based policymaking

Gender issues are noted in the food system policies of the study countries but not effectively acted upon: Women still face systemic discrimination in food systems. This gap highlights a key area for enhancing policy design and execution. Sex-disaggregated data are critical for evidence-based food system policymaking; however, very few of the policy documents examined in the study countries.

Main findings: While the study countries have ratified conventions and implemented policies promoting gender equality in the food system, women still face systemic discrimination within the food systems.Added knowledge: This study is the first independent policy landscape analysis of how governments are using policy to acknowledge and empower women to contribute to fruit and vegetable production and consumption for healthy diets across food systems.Global health impact for policy and action: Mainstreaming a gender perspective into food system policies helps to achieve global healthy diets. This is because gender disparity inhibits poverty reduction, health, education, and climate change.

Main findings: While the study countries have ratified conventions and implemented policies promoting gender equality in the food system, women still face systemic discrimination within the food systems.

Added knowledge: This study is the first independent policy landscape analysis of how governments are using policy to acknowledge and empower women to contribute to fruit and vegetable production and consumption for healthy diets across food systems.

Global health impact for policy and action: Mainstreaming a gender perspective into food system policies helps to achieve global healthy diets. This is because gender disparity inhibits poverty reduction, health, education, and climate change.