WFD 2017: WOFAN "drastically reduced malnutrition"
The world produces enough food to feed everyone, yet, about 800 million people suffer from hunger. That is one in nine people. 60% of them are women. World Food Day, annually celebrated on 16 October, is an important day to highlight facts like these. Much has to be done to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 by 2030: Zero Hunger.
Women for Water Partnership member WOFAN in Nigeria brought over 80 women groups of 30 members each from 40 different WOFAN centers together to mark World Food Day 2017. Government representatives, traditional and community leaders, youth and children all joined the WOFAN women to declare their commitment as citizens to eradicate worldwide hunger. The event promoted and displayed various 25 various foods and snacks made from groundnut products by the women groups trained by WOFAN. The skills to produce and sell new foods has empowered the women and: "We, and our families are now more well-nourished, and visibly monitor progress of our children's growth. This program drastically reduced malnutrition", told one of the participants. WOFAN a day earlier also launched the annual Global Hand Washing Campaign Week. WOFAN has constructed boreholes and toilet facilities in forty schools in Kano state and during this week targets all 1500 pupils and their community members, traditional leaders, women and youth groups to create awareness around the importance of washing hands with soap at critical times and in all situations to reduce the spread of waterborne, contagious and preventable diseases. School children are WOFAN's ambassadors of WASH and agents of positive change using drama, demonstrations, songs, discussion groups and advocacy around the key message "OUR LIVES ARE IN OUR HANDS!" |
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