Title : Women, food security and nutrition: Elevating the generational health
Abstract:
Women are central to food systems and intergenerational health outcomes and yet remain disproportionately affected by food insecurity and malnutrition. Globally, more than 1 billion women experience nutritional inadequacy, particularly in low-resource and climate-vulnerable settings (FAO, 2023). Women and girls face a 2.4 times higher risk of food insecurity compared to men (UN Women, 2022). These disparities have cascading effects for maternal undernutrition increases the risk of low birth weight, stunting and chronic disease across generations (Black et al., 2013; Bhutta et al., 2020).
Despite being primary caregivers and contributors to agriculture and nutrition, structural inequalities continue to limit their access to adequate food, health services and decision-making power. Thus, this session examines the intersection of women’s nutrition, food security and generational health through a rights-based and equity-driven lens.
Drawing from global frameworks and practical case studies, this session shall also highlight effective approaches including nutrition-sensitive agriculture, gender-targeted social protection, and community-based health platforms that place women at the center of food and nutrition interventions. The presentation will also emphasize the importance of participatory, culturally relevant and rights-based models that empower women not only as recipients but as agents of systemic nutritional change. Investing in women’s health and nutrition is both a moral and developmental imperative: one that can drive long-term improvements in population well-being, resilience and food system sustainability (Global Nutrition Report, 2022).
