Poverty

The build-up to the UN Food systems Summit 2021 has underlined why systems thinking is essential and action is required now, both concerning the ending of hunger and tackling the web of issues that contribute to sustainability.

In 2020, 768 million people suffered from hunger and undernourishment - almost 10% of the global population. This is the consequence of injustice, instability and poverty. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations expects these numbers to rise further as a result of the economic crisis triggered by Covid-19, extreme weather events and conflicts. Ahead of the United Nations Food System Summit 2021, these factsheets by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung present strategies needed to counter these developments.

Those most affected by the negative consequences of large-scale industrialized food production must play a vital part in discussing how to transform it. The world therefore needs a people’s Food Systems Summit that aims to end hunger and malnutrition, protect ecosystems, and provide small farmers with a decent livelihood.

In many countries, women do most of the farm work, but they are not allowed to make most of the decisions. They have to balance caring for their children and elderly parents with looking after the chickens and goats. Livestock can be a welcome source of extra money, but may also mean more work. And if selling eggs and milk becomes more profitable, men very often take charge.