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.
This In Brief argues that tackling gender injustice and truly empowering women is not only a fundamental prerequisite for improving food and nutrition security. It needs to be seen as a goal in its own right. In Brief sets out a preliminary vision for gender-just food and nutrition security, which puts the right to food and gender justice at the centre of all interventions. Two case studies, produced collaboratively with food security actors, provide inspiring examples of gender-transformative interventions in India and among Maya Chorti communities.