WOMEN IN WATER MANAGEMENT IN CENTRAL ASIA Agriculture, irrigation and food security
Women play an essential role in agricultural production in Central Asia. The female share Water for agriculture accounts for more of the agricultural labour force is 41%. than 90% of the total water withdrawals. (FAO, 2021)
With population set to increase up to 90 million in 2050, demand for water, energy, and food will increase accordingly. (UNESCO, 2020)
Topography and climate limit the amount of arable land in Central Asia to 10% of the total. Due to the dry conditions, approximately 80% of agricultural land is irrigated. (UNESCO and World Bank, 2021) Agricultural water management can increase productivity for both women and men, contributing to food security and improving livelihoods. (CGIAR, 2019)
The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan is implementing a project to assist in the implementation of green economy mechanisms and the promotion of principles and methods of sustainable agriculture among producers in Uzbekistan. The project raises awareness about the impact of agriculture on the environment and about how to achieve a more sustainable agriculture. WOMEN IN WATER MANAGEMENT IN CENTRAL ASIA: AGRICULTURE, IRRIGATION AND FOOD SECURITY
Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Afghanistan
Agricultural land no data (% of land area) 80 55 34 72 58 Prevalence of severe food- insecurity no data no data (% of population ) 1 2 4 (3-year average) 20 Population using at least basic drinking water services % 95 91 82 99 72 98
Female employment in agriculture (% of female employment) 19 24 13 19 60 65 Female share (age >15) who saved to start, operate or expand a farm or 12 14 4 2 business % 9 7
Number of severely food- <0.1 <0.1 no data no data insecure people (millions) 1.3 (3-year average) 7.5
Prevalence of undernourish- no data ment % <2.5 <2.5 7 4 (3-year average) 26
Agriculture share of government no data no data no data no data expenditures % 5 4
Female share of graduates from agriculture, forestry, no data no data no data fishery, and veterinary 25 programmes 31 programmes % 33
Female share of graduates in no data no data business, no data administration and law % 37 26 27 Sources: FAO 2018, FAO 2019, WB 2017, WB 2018, WB 2019