Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Rural Women Strengthening Food Security Through Collective Leadership

In Kairouan, a rural region of Tunisia, women are demonstrating that lasting change happens when they are empowered to define their own aspirations, make decisions, and influence the economic and social realities that shape their lives. By strengthening their voice, confidence, and leadership, rural women are increasingly moving beyond traditional roles to become active agents of change within their households, organizations, and communities.

The women’s cooperative (SMSA) Nissa Sabra specializing in the processing of agrifood products, offers a compelling example of how the Joint Programme on Rural Women's Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE) uses the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) as a transformative empowerment approach. More than a methodology, GALS creates a space where women can reflect on their ambitions, challenge barriers that limit their opportunities, strengthen their leadership skills, and take collective action toward a shared vision.

Rather than focusing solely on technical or business support, GALS places women at the center of the development process. Through participatory and visual tools, women analyze their realities, identify the social, economic, and organizational constraints affecting their progress, and develop their own strategies for change. This process strengthens their agency and enables them to become active decision-makers rather than passive beneficiaries.

During GALS sessions, the members of Nissa Sabra collectively identified two key aspirations: diversifying their income sources through the cultivation of local varieties alongside processing activities and expanding access to larger and more sustainable markets for their products.

Using tools such as the Vision Journey, the Challenge Action Tree, and the Basic Diamond, the women examined the obstacles preventing them from achieving these ambitions. The discussions extended beyond production and marketing challenges to address issues related to leadership, collective organization, communication, decision-making, and women's participation in shaping the future of their cooperative. Through this process, members strengthened their ability to analyze challenges, negotiate solutions, and collectively define priorities.

The empowerment journey translated into concrete action. The women identified practical measures required to access supermarket networks, including improving production organization, stock management, invoicing systems, internal communication, and governance mechanisms. Rather than relying on external actors to determine solutions, the cooperative members themselves led the analysis, identified opportunities, and agreed on a roadmap for change.

The results are already visible. The cooperative has improved its internal organization, initiated negotiations with transport providers to facilitate deliveries, and established initial contact with a supermarket to test the commercialization of its products.

More importantly, GALS has contributed to a shift in perceptions, roles, and power dynamics. Women who were previously engaged primarily in production activities are increasingly participating in strategic discussions, engaging with external stakeholders, exploring new market opportunities, and exercising leadership within their organization. Their growing confidence and collective voice are enabling them to influence decisions that affect their economic future and the sustainability of their enterprise.

The experience of Nissa Sabra illustrates how empowerment approaches can contribute to transforming discriminatory social norms by strengthening women's agency, leadership, and decision-making power. As rural women gain greater control over economic opportunities and participate more actively in collective governance, they not only improve their own livelihoods but also contribute to stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient local food systems. 

The image featured in the header of the article is AI generated.