The APO Secretariat held the online Workshop on Policies and Schemes on Gender Equality in Agriculture on 7–9 April. The objectives were to discuss recent trends in and government policies and initiatives on gender equality in agriculture; consider the relationship between sustainability, productivity, and gender equity; and share successful models, strategies, and practices.

Thirty-one participants from 12 APO members attended, along with six resource persons: one from Indonesia, one from Japan, one from Malaysia, two from the Philippines, and one from Vietnam. During the workshop, participants learned about the current situation of gender equality in agriculture and the possible solutions, including benchmarks and guidelines for women’s economic empowerment. A participant commented that the workshop helped her understand the important role that women play in agriculture across the value chain. At the end of the workshop, participants gave presentations on what they learned and actions they could take to facilitate gender equality in agriculture in their economies.