On International Women’s Day and every day, Action Against Hunger celebrates women change-makers around the world – the sisters, farmers, mothers, scientists, aunts, doctors, grandmothers, and entrepreneurs who are working create a world free from hunger with equal opportunities for all.
We must also spotlight the unique challenges and injustices that women and girls continue to face. They are disproportionately affected by hunger: too often, women and girls eat last and least. The top drivers of hunger – conflict, climate change, and inequity – also hit women hardest. But, at the same time, women are our most powerful allies in the fight against hunger.
In communities impacted by climate change, women are leading efforts to manage water sources, plant climate-resilient crops, and start new businesses. Around the world, female health workers and humanitarians are changing how hunger is prevented and treated in countless homes, health centers, and Ministries of Health. In so many of the places where Action Against Hunger works, mothers are coming together to support and learn from each other, invest in themselves, and improve food security and nutrition among their families.
Around the world, women are creating brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities. Below, find just a few of their stories.
After seeing the impact of gender injustice firsthand, one Afghan humanitarian worker switched her career path from medicine to law and now fights for gender equality: “I work to defend human rights, especially women’s rights to receive an education and I help them as much as I can.”
The water from three years of flooding has not receded in Paguir, South Sudan, but community members are making the most of their new environment – they’ve started growing rice in the flood waters. “My family can benefit from this farm, but it will also be my own,” says Nyaok, a woman rice farmer.
In Kenya, Community Health Volunteer Rose learned how to measure children for malnutrition. She goes door-to-door, checking up on her community’s children and showing their mothers how to do the same.
In Bangladesh, Shilpi saw her hopes for a brighter future wash away in near-constant flooding. Then, she learned to plant resilient gardens, raise animals, and farm fish. “Now, we eat well,” she says.
I'm going to start my own business, and I'm going to be autonomous without having to depend on anyone!”
— Glenda, a single mother of two who is taking our entrepreneurship class in Honduras.
Our teams are helping women farmers in drought-stricken Somalia access portable, solar-powered water pumps to water their gardens.
We learn[ed] ways to earn more income. It changed my life…the children’s schooling become easier. Now, we are looking to build ourselves a new home.”
— Kalala, a resident of Kasai, a community recovering from conflict.
Kasai Locals Rebuild Livelihoods After Years of DisplacementI can’t even come close to understanding or feeling what it’s like for mothers whose sons and husbands are still in Ukraine, in the war.”
— Aurelia, who cooks three meals a day for Ukrainian refugees arriving in her community.
Ukrainian Refugees and Residents in Moldova Share Their Stories
Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 56 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.
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