An independent dialogue exploring innovative solutions to boost gender-equal opportunities across the food system value chains in low-and middle income countries. 

Date: Thursday, 10 June 2021

Time: 16:30-18:30 (UTC+8)

In this independent food systems dialogue hosted by Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development (NISD), Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS) and TIGR2ESS, research, policy and development experts came together to share perspectives and develop an agenda of solutions to drive women’s empowerment and agency in food systems policy and practice in Asia and Africa.

WorldFish’s Global Lead in Nutrition and Public Health, Shakuntala Thilsted, drew on her expertise as Vice Chair of the Summit’s Action Track 4 on ‘Advancing Equitable Livelihoods’ and recent 2021 World Food Prize Laureate to deliver the keynote address on the centrality of women’s contributions to household food and nutrition security.

Thilsted discussed strategies and pathways for building women’s individual and collective independence, leadership and decision-making power in aquatic food systems. This was followed by panel discussions on building the understanding, investments and strategies to strengthen women’s resilience and access to resources in food system production, distribution and nutritional outcomes at the household, community and global levels.

Welcome address by:

Nitya Rao, Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development (NISD)

Keynote address by: 

Shakuntala Thilsted, Global Lead in Nutrition and Public Health, WorldFish

Introduction to gender and women’s agency by:

Susan Kaaria, FAO

Reporting of outcomes by:

Ajay Vir Jakhar and Nitya Rao, Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development (NISD)

Summary and recommendations by:

Vijay Kumar Thallam, Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS)

To learn more about the key outcomes of the event, read the discussion prompts.

Follow WorldFish and hashtag #aquaticfoods to check out past conversations on Twitter.