Donna e sicurezza alimentare: un vincolo da rafforzare

The Faculty of Social Sciences of the Pontifical Gregorian University, together with the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to FAO, IFAD and WFP and the Rome Forum of Catholic-inspired Non Governmental Organizations, are organizing a study day in memory of Prof. ssa emerita of the Faculty of Philosophy (PUG), Giorgia Salatiello, who died prematurely on 3 November 2022, to reflect on the unique role of women in development and on their ability to be agents of change and transform the current food system from the perspective of integral ecology.

According to some recent data from the United Nations, women engaged in the agricultural sector represent over a quarter of the world's population while, in developing countries, they make up about 43% of the workforce. Although they are as productive and enterprising as their male counterparts, they face numerous difficulties and often their work remains invisible and unpaid.

 

By engaging in both food production and processing and ensuring that their families have sufficient and good quality food, "rural women have much to teach us about how effort and sacrifice allow us to build networks that ensure access to food , the equitable distribution of goods and the possibility that every human being realizes his aspirations ′′ (Pope Francis, Message on the occasion of World Legumes Day, February 2021). The aim of this meeting is, therefore, to reflect on the importance of strengthening the link between women and food security, aware that only by allowing them to fully develop their potential can food and nutrition security be achieved for all. We will do so, starting from a theoretical perspective, focusing on the ways forward so that women can get out of the situations of vulnerability in which they often find themselves, in the promotion of full integral human development and resilient food systems. We will then focus on some concrete experiences that highlight "the irreplaceable role of women in the family and in the education of children, as well as the essential contribution of working women to the building of economic and political structures rich in humanity". (Pope Francis, Message on the occasion of the International Seminar on Women and Work, December 2015).