Women as catalysts of rural transformation: A systematic review of barriers, opportunities, and policies in the Global South

Abstract

Women play a crucial role in rural transformation in developing countries, but they face significant socio-economic, cultural, and structural barriers that hinder their full participation. Despite their contributions to agriculture and rural development, systemic inequities in access to resources, educa­tion, and decision making limit their potential as agents of change. Our research aims to analyze the challenges women face in rural transformation, identify opportunities for their empowerment, and propose actionable policy recommendations for gender-inclusive rural development. A systematic literature review was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, focusing on peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025. Using the PRISMA framework, 166 studies were selected from 499 studies across South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. These major developing regions have rural populations reliant on agriculture, in which women play crucial roles but face gender barriers. Women face obsta­cles such as limited access to land, technology, credit, and markets, hindering their full contribu­tion to sustainable food systems. Enabling factors such as capacity building, digital literacy, coopera­tive farming, and gender-transformative policies enhance women’s agency in food production. Empowering women through training, inclusive financing, and land rights improves productivity, food security, and sustainability. The findings high­light the need for inclusive rural policies, interdisci­plinary collaboration, and gender-sensitive infra­structure to support women in agriculture. Integrating women into rural and food strategies is key to long-term sustainability. Future research should evaluate the impact and scalability of gen­der-inclusive policies in diverse rural contexts.