There are gender differences in pesticide use, exposures, health outcomes and environmental impacts. For example, women may be at greater risk of adverse effects from pesticides partly because of lower literacy rates, as well as limited access to training and to personal protective equipment (Jorsef al. In a number of production systems in selected countries it is predominantly men who apply pesticides and are at great risk; in other countries, and on other crops, mainly women apply them (Box 2.1.5). The reasons for these differences include cultural and social norms, educational levels and awareness (Gupta etal.