Promoting Rural Women's Empowerment in Agriculture and Agritourism in Kosovo

This publication presents key findings and recommendations from the Promoting Rural Women’s Empowerment in Kosovo project, jointly implemented by UN Women and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with financial support from the Austrian Development Agency. The project addresses persistent structural barriers, gender norms, and inequalities that limit rural women’s economic participation, access to resources, and decision-making power in agriculture.

Focusing on the municipalities of Istog, Skenderaj, and South Mitrovica, the publication draws on robust quantitative and qualitative research, including a survey of 459 rural women—21 per cent from ethnic minority communities and 7 per cent women with disabilities—as well as focus group discussions and interviews with gender-based violence (GBV) survivor advocates. The analysis highlights rural women’s extensive yet largely unpaid contributions to agrifood systems, their limited access to training, finance, markets, and modern technologies, and the compounded challenges posed by climate change and entrenched gender norms.

The publication also underscores the potential of agriculture as a pathway to economic recovery and empowerment for GBV survivors, while identifying critical gaps in resources and long-term support. It offers actionable, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen women’s access to productive assets, climate-resilient farming practices, tailored training, market linkages, and community networks, while promoting social recognition of women’s roles in rural development.

By grounding policy and programming in women’s lived realities, this publication contributes to advancing gender-responsive, inclusive, and sustainable rural development in Kosovo and beyond.