If Women Farmers were Politicians, the World Would be Fed, says Danielle Nierenberg

Women produce more than 50 percent of the food in the world but are disadvantaged when it comes to access to resources such as land and financial services. Credit: Busani Bafana, IPS By Busani BafanaBULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, Sep 17 2021 (IPS) Women, key contributors to agriculture production, are missing at the decision table, with alarming consequences, says Food Tank President Danielle Nierenberg in an exclusive interview with IPS. Giving women a seat at the policymaking table could accelerate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and keep the world fed and nourished. This necessitates a transformation of the currently lopsided global food system, she says. Food Tank President Danielle Nierenberg. Nierenberg, a top researcher and advocate on food systems and agriculture, acknowledges that women are the most affected during environmental or health crises. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global food production, affecting women farmers and food producers who were already excluded from full participation in agricultural development. “We still have a long way to go in making sure that policies are not gender blind and include the needs of women at the forefront when mass disasters occur,“ Nierenberg told IPS, adding that policymakers need to understand the needs of farmers and fisherfolk involved in food systems. “I think it is time we need more people who are involved with agriculture to run for political office because they understand its challenges,” she said. “If we had m...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Biodiversity Conferences Economy & Trade Environment Featured Food and Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition Food Sustainability Gender Global Green Economy Headlines Health Humanitarian Emergencies Natural Resources TerraV Source Type: news