Statement of the Philippine Network of Food Security Programs, Inc. (PNFSP) on International Women’s Day

On this International Women’s Day, the Philippine Network of Food Security Programs, Inc. (PNFSP) honors the vital role of women in ensuring food security, upholding the right to food, and nurturing communities. Across the Philippines and the world, women are at the heart of food production—working as farmers, fishers, vendors, cooks, and caretakers. Despite their indispensable contributions, they continue to face systemic inequalities, landlessness, economic hardships, and the impacts of climate change that threaten their livelihoods and the well-being of their families.

Women’s hands plant, harvest, and prepare food that nourishes families and communities. In rural areas, they cultivate the land and safeguard indigenous seeds, passing down knowledge that sustains generations. In urban spaces, they lead community kitchens, urban gardens, and cooperative efforts to make food accessible to all. Their labor, though often unrecognized and undervalued, is essential in addressing hunger and malnutrition.

As we celebrate women’s achievements, we also call for genuine recognition of their rights. Women must have access to land, fair wages, agricultural resources, and decision-making spaces in shaping food policies. A just and sustainable food system is impossible without women’s empowerment and leadership.

On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing food sovereignty and gender justice. We stand with all women farmers, workers, and food producers in their fight for land, resources, and dignity. When women thrive, communities flourish, and the world moves closer to a future free from hunger and injustice.