Four locally led initiatives are turning food production challenges into opportunities for greener livelihoods across Darkhan-Uul, Selenge and Uvurkhangai provinces, while strengthening the role of rural women as leaders and solution providers. 

Rural women are not merely participants in food systems. They play a vital role in food production, household food security, the sustainable management of natural resources, the preservation of traditional knowledge, and the livelihoods of local communities.

Despite their significant contributions to food systems, women often face unequal access to land, water and other resources, finance, technology, markets, and decision-making opportunities. In addition, unpaid work related to food processing, water and fuel collection, caregiving, and other household responsibilities increases their time and workload burdens.

Climate change, drought, dzud (extreme winter conditions), water scarcity, and ecosystem degradation are not merely environmental challenges. These risks affect women and men differently and can further increase women’s unpaid work and responsibilities for ensuring household food security.

Food systems transformation is therefore not simply about increasing food production. It requires a comprehensive approach that promotes the sustainable use of natural resources, reduces production waste and pollution, protects water, soil, and biodiversity, and strengthens climate resilience. At the same time, it must reduce women’s workloads, expand their access to income-generating opportunities, skills, technology, finance, and markets, and strengthen their participation and influence in decision-making.

Through its small-grants initiative, the “Food Systems Transformation to Support NBSAP Implementation” project is supporting these practical local solutions, with funding from the Governments of Denmark, Luxembourg and the Republic of Korea through UNDP’s Funding Windows.