Koning: The future of agriculture, to be sustainable, must be gender equal. Women comprise about 43% of agricultural labor in developing countries but own less than 20% of land worldwide. If women had equal access to opportunities, food supply will increase by 15-20%

Koning: On average, women spend average of 22 hours on upaid work but men spend only less than 10 hours. Rural women also tend to work more frequently in part-time or temporary jobs. Gender pay gap still exists.

Koning: Farming is not anymore a male affair. Women farm managers are on the rise!

Koning: In NL, there are still challenges. Women only own less than 10% of farms, where most are family farms. Women still lagging behind in decision making positions in agri-organizations.

Koning: As the Netherlands' representative in UN Women in 2018, I talked to different women around the world. I urged the UN to consider 5 action areas.

Increase women's decision-making participation, support women's membership in cooperatives, design/implement laws to ensure rural women are afforded equal rights, ensure all farmers get fair price for products, to create living conditions in the rural areas matching urban areas.

The Netherlands does not only prioritize agriculture, but use a gender lens to ensure that women's role and needs are addressed.

Koning: LTO and Agriterra, specializing in cooperative development led by farmers work with other farmers in the Philippines. This includes female leadership trainings to cooperatives and female leaders who will develop their skills and plans that results in positive changes.

Her personal advise to women: foster and strengthen the role of women especially in access to land rights. Take care of yourself and others.