The United Nations had set a goal of 2030 for a world where no one suffers from hunger, on a planet that theoretically produces enough food for all. Yet more than 840 million people could suffer from hunger or insufficient access to healthy food by 2030. Yet, against this epidemic, humanity theoretically has the most solutions.
The best way to fight the scourge of hunger is to rely on local initiatives. And to count on equality between women and men. According to Stop Hunger, a global nonprofit network committed to taking sustainable action for a world without hunger, 55% of the progress in the fight against hunger over the past 25 years has come from improving the social situation of women. There are also 150 million additional people who could be fed if women had access to the same resources as men: access to arable land and equipment, training in good agricultural practices and new digital technologies, financing, access to markets. They could thus increase the yields of their farms by 20 to 30%.
In connection with the World Food Program, Stop Hunger provides projects each year for women who work in their communities for food self-sufficiency. Since 2017, when the Women Trophies were created, 28 women have each received 10,000 euros for their projects. Here are 4 of them, 2021 winners of the Women Stop Hunger Trophies, which prove that women can change the world. Routes to know, before the big fundraising evening on March 11, 2021 which will support them.
In Bolivia, the vegetable gardens of the desert of Darlen Velasco Torrez
At 27, Darlen Velasco Torrez is an agricultural engineer whose vocation was born very young, when she discovered at the age of 7 the first school vegetable garden in her town, where vegetables grow that she has never seen anywhere else. She belongs to a Guarani community in Bolivia and lives in a semi-desert region, where only local plants survive the climatic conditions. From there came the idea to use her engineering skills to create and rehabilitate vegetable gardens that allow
food self-sufficiency. First created for local schools, like the vegetable garden that had sparked his vocation as a child, these projects inspire local mothers. Thanks to Darlen, they are trained to maintain their own vegetable gardens. Access to healthy food, which makes children healthier, but also makes it easier to go to school, especially girls. The example set by her vegetable garden system recently led to her being elected to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly to represent her community. With the support of the World Food Program, Darlen has created no less than 94 vegetable gardens. More children in school, more independent market gardening mothers, more social equality: to support the momentum launched by Darlen, it's here.
In Madagascar, the virtuous school canteens of Emilienne Ranotsinjo
Emilienne grew up in a large, poor family. As a child, she is rather shy. But as she grows up, she asserts herself and forges her beliefs. Now 47, Emilienne is one of the most influential women in her community. As the head of the association of the local primary school in the city of Beabo, in 2018 she founded the Miray Hina association. The goal of
this agricultural cooperative? Created vegetable gardens and school canteens. Behind Emilienne, 35 women contribute to the better nutrition of 700 students. Having become a true entrepreneur, she has been able to diversify the income and production of the cooperative, while pushing the women around them to get involved. The association also promotes the position and rights of women: in the local marketplace, Émilienne talks about sexual harassment, rape, early and forced marriages, but also transgenerational violence. A strong word that makes this shy old woman an example and a pioneer. To support Emilienne, it's over here.
In Haiti, the viable agricultural cooperative of Rytshlande Rivière
Rythslande Riviere, 30, has also been able to federate around her an agricultural cooperative in which women play an important role, since they are 32 out of 42 members. In 2009, she joined the IMAD association. At the time, it was difficult for the rice producers in her region in western Haiti to sell their production in the markets: the women transport the unrefined rice on donkeys to sell it at the market. and lose a lot of money, when not sold. To change the situation, Rhytslande creates a solidarity fund which she manages for 4 years. A mobilization that leads to a local production circuit for rice, a product now sold to schools in the region supported by the Program
World Food. Thanks to this stable market, farmers in the region have been able to increase their income and meet their needs. The initiative also enables better nutrition and better schooling for children, again, girls in particular. To give strength to his project, it's here.
In Jordan, Wardeh Aloush's anti-stereotypical construction company
Wardeh Aloush, 44, is a mother of 6 who decided to retrain to support her family. In a society that is still fairly conservative in terms of gender roles, she trained in the profession of building renovation. This is how Wardeh set up NOJOOM, his school and hospital renovation and rehabilitation company. She fights there in a very concrete way against stereotypes, by training women and making Syrian and Palestinian refugees work together. This Jordanian delivers a message of hope and ambition. "In our society, it is neither common nor acceptable for women to work in construction or to work with men, she explains, but I wanted to act against this stereotype. I wanted to think differently, to do something unconventional that women can be good at, especially in Eastern society. I seriously encourage all women to work because you can be successful. They should not let obstacles, like society and stereotypes, stand in their way. " To support the Wardeh project, which feeds and supports 6 families, and allow it to develop, it's here.
These local heroines have created associations, local vegetable gardens and businesses. Their innovative ideas can be implemented in other places around the world.
Find the testimonies of these women during the special program "United for a world without hunger" and come and support them thanks to a fundraiser on March 11, 2021.
In order to contribute, you too, to a world without hunger.