EMPOWERING WOMEN FOR FOOD SECURITY IN ALGERIA: INVESTING IN RURAL LIVELIHOODS

Abstract

This research explores the nexus between women's empowerment and the attainment of food security in rural Algeria, with a particular focus on the challenges faced by women in the agricultural sector. The study identifies several key obstacles impeding women’s full participation in agriculture, including restricted access to resources, prevalent low literacy rates, entrenched traditional gender roles, and pronounced economic vulnerabilities. It underscores the critical role of empowering women through avenues such as educational advancement, skill development, improved healthcare access, and economic opportunities, as essential for bolstering food security at both household and community levels. Despite commendable initiatives by the Algerian government to improve conditions, the study points out the pressing need to confront enduring social norms and resource limitations. It advocates for a holistic strategy that not only promotes women’s economic involvement and climate-smart agricultural practices but also addresses structural impediments. The study concludes by affirming that strategic investments in women’s empowerment are indispensable for fostering sustainable food security and facilitating rural development in Algeria