On October 16, the global community observes World Food Day, with the theme for 2024 being “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.” This theme speaks to the fundamental human right to access nutritious, sufficient, and safe food, a cornerstone of both individual well-being and global development. WISE (Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment) stands in solidarity with this message, continuing its mission to empower communities through sustainable food systems, climate resilience, and gender equality.

THE RIGHT TO FOOD: A Call for Justice.

Food is not just a necessity for survival; it is a right. However, millions of people worldwide face chronic hunger and malnutrition, exacerbated by climate change, conflict, and socio-economic inequalities. The 2024 theme underscores the need for collective action to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to healthy and affordable food. For WISE, the right to food goes beyond addressing hunger—it is about ensuring food security for future generations through sustainable, climate-conscious solutions.

WISE’S INTERVENTION: Supporting Vulnerable Households During the COVID-19 Crisis.

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, WISE took decisive action to support vulnerable communities in Kaduna State through the “COVID-19 Emergency Food Relief and Climate Resilience Project. This project targeted 2,000 vulnerable households across 10 local government areas, addressing the immediate food needs of families struggling with both the pandemic and the growing impacts of climate change on agriculture.

By providing emergency food relief, WISE ensured that vulnerable families could access essential nutrition in a time of crisis. However, our intervention went beyond immediate food aid—through climate resilience training and education, WISE equipped communities with knowledge and tools to adapt to climate change and secure sustainable food sources for the future. This dual approach helped safeguard food security during a particularly challenging period, reinforcing the importance of resilience in the face of climate uncertainty.

LINKING FOOD SECURITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE.

WISE’s commitment to building climate-resilient communities is deeply intertwined with the right to food. The effects of climate change—such as unpredictable rainfall, droughts, and soil degradation—directly threaten agricultural productivity, leading to food shortages and heightened food insecurity. WISE’s projects, including our collaboration with women’s cooperatives and sustainable farming initiatives, aim to mitigate these effects by promoting practices that conserve natural resources, improve crop yields, and protect biodiversity.

WISE’s long-term vision focuses on empowering rural women, who are often the backbone of agricultural production in Nigeria. By giving women access to training, technology, and resources, WISE enables them to lead the charge in building sustainable food systems that can withstand climate shocks. This aligns with the 2024 World Food Day theme, highlighting that food security is not just about food—it’s about building a better life and future for all.

FOOD FOR A BETTER FUTURE: WISE’s Vision.

WISE envisions a world where food security is not a privilege but a right for everyone, regardless of where they live or their socio-economic status. Our mission to empower women, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen food systems reflects this vision. We believe that gender equality, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture are key to achieving lasting food security.

On this World Food Day, WISE reaffirms its commitment to advocating for policies and programs that ensure equitable access to food, especially in rural and vulnerable communities. We call on governments, civil society, and individuals to work together to secure the right to food for all and to build a future where no one is left behind.

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