Gender and Food Security

Persistent hunger and malnutrition is a problem affecting millions of people globally, the majority of whom are women and girls. Food and nutrition insecurity is a political, economic and environmental issue, but, most importantly, it is a gender justice issue; stark gender inequalities are both a cause and an outcome of unjust food access, consumption and production. While there is now a growing recognition in policy that women’s role is essential to food and nutrition security, such policies tend to focus on increasing women’s productive and economic capacity. This is only a partial solution, failing to address the entrenched gender inequalities that prevent many women and girls from living a fulfilled life, free from hunger, poverty and discrimination.