Gender equity in food security and population. Empowerment of rural and farming women needed. Ms. Rosetta Tetebo (Ghana) on gender and food security
Asian Forum newsletter official organ of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development 1996: 17
1996
PMID: 12292042 Document Number: 280423
The director of Ghana's Department of Women in Agricultural Development, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, described progress made and room for improvement with regard to gender and food security. She called for improved national and household food security such that all people will have access at all times to the food needed to lead active and healthy lives. Measures should include food production and its equitable distribution, regular supply throughout the year, and access to food through economic and income-generating activities. The director stressed the need to and benefits of allocating the financial, technical, and human resources women need to actively participate in the economy. In so doing, food security and food self-sufficiency will be enhanced. Female-headed households further need the support of economic, social, agricultural, and related policies. Improved food security requires rapid and sustainable growth in agricultural productivity, which could offset population growth and the consequent increases in demand and consumption.