Shifting Gender and Social Norms to Enhance Access, Participation, and Resilience for Women, Youth, and Socially Excluded Groups in Agri-Food Systems

This series of briefs synthesizes the key evidence and messages from presentations in sessions at the CGIAR Gender Conference Accelerating Equality in Food, Land, and Water Systems1 held in Cape Town on 7–9 October 2025. The briefs highlight what we learnt and how this knowledge can inform action, including research and development practices and policy recommendations. The briefs are organized around the five themes of the conference.

Shifting gender and social norms is key to improving women’s access, participation and resilience in agri-food systems, while also addressing inequalities faced by youth and socially excluded groups. These norms shape behaviors and opportunities, often reinforcing barriers to equality. Tackling restrictive norms is essential for creating inclusive food, land and water systems (FLWS).