A/HRC/39/34 III. Integration of women’s rights and a gender perspective in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda across the social, economic and environmental dimensions 12. One segment of the discussion was devoted to the analysis of the linkages between the three dimensions — economic, social and environmental — of the 2030 Agenda through the lenses of gender equality and women’s rights. The experts presented how gender equality and women’s rights were relevant to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, in particular in areas where gender-responsive implementation and monitoring might remain weak, such as the management of natural resources and industrial activities, patterns of production and consumption, urbanization and the environment and ecosystems. 13. One expert discussed the role of women in agricultural productivity, notably highlighting why realizing women’s rights was important for sustainable production, the environment and climate action, based on experience in Eastern Africa. Improving sustainable and climate-smart agricultural productivity by closing the gender gap would contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate action) and 15 (life on land). Agricultural output growth had a strong causal impact on poverty reduction and food security. Nevertheless, agricultural productivity had been negatively affected by gender inequalities, which had resulted in large losses for local economies and Governments as a whole. For example, in Malawi, closing the gender gap could lead to more than 238,000 people being lifted out of poverty each year. 14. In sub-Saharan Africa, women comprised 30 to 80 per cent of the active farming population, and yet they were consistently found to be less productive than male farmers owing to a range of constraints. Studies found that elements that hindered women’s agricultural productivity included unequal access to key agricultural inputs such as land, knowledge, fertilizer and improved seeds; lack of access to hired labour because of prevalent cultural norms that did not allow women to hire male workers; time constraints faced by women owing to their unpaid care and domestic work; and gender-based violence against women. In order to improve agricultural productivity, gender-responsive policy measures would be required. Such measures might need to transform gender social norms in agricultural activities by involving women in policy formulation and implementation, empowering women through knowledge and skills and building the capacities of women to manage their finances and engage men as partners. Measures could be required to improve women farmers’ access to and the use of labour-saving technologies for agricultural production and for household use, including improved access to water and clean energy. Gender-responsive climate-smart agricultural extension services would have to be provided to women. Measures might also be required to improve women’s access to and control over land and other resources, including improved seeds, fertilizers and financial resources. Finally, gender-disaggregated data should be collected and statistical instruments should be improved.5 15. One expert highlighted the importance of having a strong focus on gender equality in harnessing the demographic dividend in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It would be a crucial element for policies relevant to economic growth, social protection and social services, urbanization, natural resource management and climate responses. The demographic dividend was created by a decline in fertility, the subsequent decrease in the size and proportion of the young population and an increase in the working age population. 5 4 Rights general comment No. 20 (2009) on non-discrimination in economic, social and cultural rights, para. 32. In the context of freedom from violence, also see Human Rights Committee general comment No. 35 (2014) on liberty and security of person, paras. 3 and 9. For more details on the policy recommendations, see the report “The Cost of the Gender Gap in Agricultural Productivity in Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda” and the policy brief, “Equally Productive? Assessing the Gender Gap in Agricultural Productivity in Rwanda”.