Policy and Planning for the Empowerment of Zambia's Women Farmers

ABSTRACT Zambia has a policy framework and bureaucratic structure for integrating women in development. The authors, as gender planners in the agricultural sector, argue that the bureaucracy can be gender sensitized to increase women farmers' access to resources required for fulfilment of their practical gender needs. A strong advocacy presence is particularly necessary in the current situation of liberalization of the economy which undermines women farmers' ability to ensure household food security and earn incomes. Their level of political participation is low, and empowerment is not high on women's agenda. Hence, a supportive bureaucratic structure is necessary to lay the basis for women's future political participation to challenge their subordination.