Women in Montenegro carry out a significant share of agricultural work, yet they remain largely excluded from land ownership and decision-making. According to the new National Gender Profile of Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the Government of Montenegro, women account for more than half of the workforce on family farms but hold ownership or secure rights to only 12.9 percent of agricultural land. The findings highlight a persistent gender gap that limits women’s economic security and influence within the agrifood sector.
Gender inequalities are particularly pronounced in the northern region of the country, where around 60 percent of residents live in rural areas and agriculture is central to local livelihoods. Poverty levels in this region are significantly higher than elsewhere, and women face restricted access to education, healthcare and formal employment. Many balance long hours of farm labor with unpaid domestic and care responsibilities, leaving little time for skills development, entrepreneurship or participation in decision-making processes. Although Montenegro’s overall Gender Equality Index has improved in recent years, gaps remain substantial in financial access and leadership representation.
The report underscores that much of women’s agricultural contribution is unpaid and undervalued, often invisible in official statistics and policy frameworks. Cultural norms continue to favor male inheritance, even though legal frameworks guarantee equal property rights. As a result, many women renounce land ownership in favor of male relatives, limiting their access to collateral and financial resources necessary for investment and business growth. The assessment calls for improved sex-disaggregated data to better capture women’s roles and inform more inclusive policymaking.
Despite these challenges, gradual progress is evident. Women now head approximately 16 percent of registered family farms, and under the 2025 Agrobudget they are eligible for additional financial incentives in selected agricultural investment areas. Women’s entrepreneurship is also expanding, with around one-quarter of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Montenegro owned by women, though many rural businesses remain informal. Participants in the assessment expressed strong interest in gaining digital, marketing and business skills, along with improved access to capital and professional networks.
The report emphasizes that empowering rural women is essential for strengthening food security, reducing poverty and building resilience to climate change. While Montenegro has aligned many of its policies with European Union standards and international commitments, including CEDAW and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, further efforts are needed to translate legal guarantees into practical action. As 2026 marks the International Year of the Woman Farmer, the findings call for targeted investments and policy reforms to ensure rural women have equal access to land, finance and leadership roles in transforming Montenegro’s agrifood systems.
