- 22/04/2024
As countries develop their National Pathways for food systems transformation, one emerging need is to ensure policies land at different levels. A truly effective ‘national’ policy must span all sub-national areas.International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8th every year.
IWD is a global event dedicated to recognising the achievements of women across various fields, promoting gender equality, and raising awareness about the challenges women continue to face worldwide.
It has been consistently celebrated by numerous organisations, governments, and communities around the globe, including GAIN.
It serves as a celebration of achievements but also a call for action, IWD encourages individuals, organisations, and governments to take concrete steps towards addressing these gender disparity issues.
This year's theme "Invest in women: Accelerate progress #InspireInclusion" means not only empowering women to break through barriers but also to accelerate progress for all, creating a world of inclusive growth, shared success, and equity.
In this Interview Cruncher, we address the specific challenges faced by women and girls within food systems, exploring how these imbalances contribute to health inequities, unhealthy diets, and malnutrition risks. We'll examine the urgency of addressing these issues in light of missed SDG targets and the role of human rights in fostering equality.
Discussion covers the magnitude of the problem, including global trends and policy implications for equity. We explore the holistic solutions from a human rights perspective, focusing on support strategies for women and girls, the importance of data and behavioral change, and strategies for transforming food systems to enhance economic opportunities, food security, and equitable access to healthy diets globally.
Strengthening and equipping women-led businesses and entrepreneurs is a cornerstone of GAIN's gender work. Ensuring support, technical work and empowerment at at the centre of our work, below we present profiles of successful women who have been part of the work of the SUN Business Network.
View business as more than just profit-making; it's a journey of continuous learning and growth. Invest in upgrading your products, and services and expanding your network.
Seize every opportunity to talk about your work and its impact on the community. Remain consistent in what you are doing and do it to your very best by learning and unlearning till your brand speaks for itself.
Women entrepreneurs should emphasise their business narrative, engage in mentorship, collaborate with similar organizations, and showcase women's unique strengths.
SBN's trainings are very impactful, and I've taken part in all of them. It's hard for me to single one out because they are all interconnected and, in my view, they complement each other and have helped me to have a much broader vision of my business.
CAtalyzing Strengthened policy aCtion for heAlthy Diets and ResiliencE (CASCADE) is a Dutch-funded project whose goal is to improve food security and contribute to the reduction of malnutrition of at least 5 million women of reproductive age and children under five in Benin, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Mozambique. Leads of CASCADE share how the programme is empowering women.
Joana Celestina is a vendor at the central market in Mozambique: "After losing my husband, and with a family to look after, I had to wipe away my tears and battle to provide for my family. I realised I needed to be the breadwinner of the family, and I became a vendor at the Munhava Market in Beira city".
