Happy International Women’s Day! Today, we celebrate the incredible achievements and contributions of women worldwide while also shedding light on the critical issues that affect them, including food security.
According to the 2022 Food Bank User Statistics, more than half of the people accessing Canadian food banks are women aged 18 and over. This alarming statistic highlights the harsh reality that women are disproportionately affected by food insecurity in Canada.
Equity Issues Facing Women
In Canada, women are more likely to experience poverty than men, in particular, single mothers, Indigenous women, visible minority women, immigrant women, and senior women. These individuals face a variety of barriers in their daily lives, making it difficult to afford healthy food options, especially as food prices continue to rise.
Importance of Addressing Food Security
Addressing food security can help address gender inequality in several ways:
Empowerment: When women have access to adequate and nutritious food, they can better care for their families and have more energy and resources to pursue other opportunities. This can increase their economic independence and decision-making power, leading to greater empowerment.
Education: When women and girls are not hungry and have access to nutritious food, they can concentrate and attend school, increasing their chances of obtaining an education and better job opportunities.
Improved health: Women with access to nutritious food are more likely to be healthy and have better birth outcomes, reducing the risk of maternal and child mortality risk
Reduced violence: When women are economically empowered and access resources like food, they are less vulnerable to gender-based violence and exploitation.
Improved community development: Addressing food security can have a positive impact on overall community development, as improved health, education, and economic outcomes can lead to reduced poverty and increased prosperity.
Addressing food security is a crucial step in promoting gender equality and empowering women, and it should be a priority in development efforts globally.
What Can You Do To Help?
Quest Food Exchange is a redistribution leader actively working to reduce food waste and ensure that healthy, nutritious food gets to those who need it most. We rely on donations from local food partners across British Columbia to provide affordable groceries to our client communities across our five Lower Mainland markets.
By donating to Quest Food Exchange, you can help ensure that families, individuals, and women in need have access to the food they require at affordable prices. Your contribution will help us address food insecurity and gender inequality to promote empowerment, reduce vulnerability to violence and exploitation, and improve the overall well-being of women.
