Gender equality can end world hunger: The Hunger Project

One in 10 people in the world is hungry – but food isn’t the only way to address this.‍

In close partnership with communities in Africa, South Asia and Latin America, our 1% for the Planet partner, The Hunger Project, addresses the root causes of chronic hunger, including gender inequality and climate change, by building self-reliance, financial independence and decision-making skills among women and girls.

We caught up with The Hunger Project Australia’s Head of Partnerships Jessica Parker for International Women’s Day, to hear more about the connection between hunger and gender equality.

Freely: Hey there, Jessica! Happy International Women’s Day.

Jessica: Hey guys! Thank you. Happy International Women's Day to you too.

Tell us, what is the connection between gender equality and hunger?

There is clear research showing that the more gender inequality there is in a country, the hungrier people are. The statistics also show that women and girls are more likely to go without food in scarce times than men and boys.

In many countries, including those where we work, women are still not legally allowed to own land or property, while girls as young as 10 are being forced into marriage. This creates generational poverty and a lifetime of co-dependence.

We know this needs to change! When women and girls have a voice, they can pursue their education, run a business, represent their community at local councils or committees and become powerful advocates for change.

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People often associate hunger with aid – so why doesn’t The Hunger Project distribute food?

Because we believe food alone will not end hunger, we build long-term partnerships with communities who’ve experienced intergenerational hunger and address the overarching factors that cause hunger to persist – including gender inequality, climate change, access to education and healthcare.

Our programs help teach communities how to grow their own food, provide small loans so they can buy and rear animals for essential protein, eggs or milk, educate parents on critical nutrition and also how to safely store and process food for maximum nutritional benefit.

That makes a lot of sense. So why do you focus on rural areas?

The Hunger Project focuses on the areas with the greatest needs, and we know that rural areas worldwide face tougher challenges than urban ones.

A couple of years ago, I travelled to Malawi, where I met families living in remote areas of the country. In communities where we hadn’t partnered, I heard stories of immense hardship to access clean water, education and healthcare.

On the other hand, I also met with rural communities who had achieved self-reliance through their partnership with The Hunger Project and are now thriving – their children are attending school, mothers are giving birth safely and families have access to clean water nearby. This is where I saw firsthand the impact of our work.

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What are some of the programs you’re running at the moment?

We’re running various programs across Africa, South Asia and Latin America, all led by local teams who understand the unique needs of each region.

Currently, we’re focussed on securing investment for our Adolescent Girls Program in India, an initiative that creates local ‘clubs’ where girls come together to share their experiences and learn about their rights in a safe place. It’s a grassroots approach to combating child marriage rates.

We’re also engaged in a project in Uganda with the Amuru community, situated in the remote north of the country. Our aim is to secure funding for this community so they can start their journey toward a self-reliant future by partnering with The Hunger Project local team.

How can people learn more or support The Hunger Project?

Whether you're an individual, a small business or part of a larger organisation, there are many ways you can engage with our work!

We invite you to visit our website, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn, or send us an email at thpa@thp.org. We’d be thrilled to chat with you about how we can work together to create a more equitable future for all.