WFP Gender Policy - WFP Remote Access Secure Services

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY“Breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty at its roots begins withwomen. Hunger breeds insecurity and often exacerbates circumstancesthat lead to conflict and crisis, and creates situations where womenand girls are often victims of abuse, rape and violence.In situations of desperate poverty, access to food is power. WFP worksin careful and innovative ways to ensure women are empowered —and protected in food distribution and access.”Josette Sheeran, WFP Executive DirectorGender inequality is a major cause and effectof hunger and poverty: it is estimated that60 percent of the world’s chronically hungry peopleare women and girls; 20 percent are children under5. Achieving gender equality remains crucial to reachthe poverty and hunger goals of the MillenniumDeclaration.The Strategic Plan (2008–2011) provides anopportunity to review WFP’s gender policy andimprove the way in which gender is addressed in itsprogramming. The positive measures focusing onwomen established by previous WFP policies needto continue, but a more holistic approach to genderis required to improve the balance in relationshipsbetween genders and in families.This document sets out a framework formainstreaming gender more fully in WFP’s policiesand programmes: it identifies priorities and actionsthat build on WFP’s strengths such as its unique fieldpresence and extensive partnerships, incorporatesthe findings of a recent evaluation of its genderpolicy and indicates ways in which WFP can workmore constructively to protect women.WFP seeks to create an enabling environment forpromoting gender equality and the empowermentof women to support partner countries in addressingfood and nutrition challenges. Ultimately this willincrease the effectiveness and sustainability ofprogrammes addressing poverty and hunger.3