This exciting new book brings together renowned international scholars to explore the gender effects of the current transformation of agriculture and rural life. It presents a comparative perspective on key research themes of rural gender relations, with each section beginning with a comprehensive overview. Five themes are addressed: developments in rural gender theory and research methodology; changes in farm households; patterns of rural migration; the impact of national and international policies; and the construction of gender identities as a result of rural changes. Contributors include scholars from Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.