Robert Igalo, country coordinator of the We are Able! project in Uganda, was one of the expert speakers at the AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON DISABILITY organized by ADF on September 1-5, 2024.
The conference, held in Nairobi, Kenya, was themed “Persons with Disabilities in a Post-pandemic World: Redefining Inclusive Development & Humanitarian Agenda in Africa”.
Robert Igalo was invited to speak as a passionate global disability advocate. He brings a wealth of knowledge on this topic, from both his profound academic knowledge and his extensive professional experience in topics like Inclusive Banking, Livelihoods Development and Community Based Rehabilitation.
In his contribution at the African Conference on Disability, Robert shared the root causes and impact of food insecurity of persons with disability to the audience. As well as present proven pathways out of poverty and dependence of those living with disabilities, exemplified in the We are Able! (WaA!) Uganda project.
In this article, we captured the essence of his message for all to be inspired.
How Food Security Can Address Poverty and Inequalities
Food security plays a vital role in reducing poverty and inequalities. Defined as ensuring access to enough, safe, affordable and nutritious food for all at all times, food security goes beyond just availability. It includes the stability of food supply, access to it, and its quality to support a healthy, active life. According to the World Food Summit of 1996, food security hinges on four key elements: availability, accessibility, stability, and adequacy of quality.
The Link Between Food Security, Poverty, and Inequalities
Poverty is the inability to meet basic needs, including food. It not only limits people’s ability to purchase or produce food but also perpetuates inequality. Inequality, particularly in access to resources, wealth, and opportunities, disproportionately affects marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities. In this context, food security can act as a powerful tool to break the cycles of poverty and inequality.
How Food Security Can Help
- Economic Empowerment: By ensuring food security, communities can produce surplus food that can be sold on the market, contributing to economic stability. This income can lift families out of poverty and allow them to participate in government programs and decision-making processes.
- Health and Productivity: A well-nourished population is healthier, which leads to greater productivity. Healthy individuals can work, earn income, and reduce health care costs, which directly impacts poverty levels.
- Empowering Women: Food security can empower women, who often direct resources toward the well-being of their families and communities. Women’s involvement in agriculture and food-related decision-making can enhance overall food security. Empowering women to grow and sell food crops not only supports family income but also closes the gender gap in economic participation.
- Improving Children’s Health: Food security has a direct impact on children, especially in the first 1,000 days of life. Adequate nutrition prevents conditions like stunting and wasting, ensuring that children grow up healthy and capable of contributing to their communities. Malnourished children are at higher risk for chronic health issues, which can keep families trapped in poverty due to increased medical costs.
- Reducing Rural-to-Urban Migration: When families achieve food security in rural areas, the need for migration to urban areas in search of paid work diminishes. This helps maintain family stability and reduces the strain on urban centers.
Steps Toward Achieving Food Security
- Inclusive Policies: Governments must create and implement policies that ensure food availability and accessibility for all, including vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities. Organizations like WaA! are working in African countries to raise awareness and advocate for the ratification of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) to promote inclusive development.
- Women’s Empowerment: Promoting women’s financial independence, particularly in agricultural decisions, boosts food security for households. Women are more likely to invest in their families’ health and well-being, leading to long-term community benefits. Additionally, reducing gender bias in agriculture, which often places men in control of cash crops, can create more equitable food systems.
- Combating Climate Change: Climate change poses significant risks to food security. Supporting drought-resistant farming, reducing food waste, and promoting sustainable farming practices are essential to maintaining stable food supplies.
- Infrastructure Improvements: Better roads, storage facilities, and market access can help reduce food loss and waste. Improving these infrastructures ensures that food reaches more people, reducing the risk of scarcity and price hikes that disproportionately affect the poor.
- Supporting Local and Global Efforts: Local food charity initiatives, combined with international efforts to combat hunger, play a key role in addressing food insecurity.
Conclusion
Organizations are advocating for persons living with disabilities to improve their access to land and resources to achieve food security. By empowering persons with disabilities to grow enough food for their families and sell the surplus, they can lift themselves out of poverty. Furthermore, when persons with disabilities are involved in decision-making processes regarding food policies, it strengthens their participation in society and promotes broader inclusion.
Food security is a crucial measure for addressing poverty and inequalities. By ensuring access to nutritious food, communities can become healthier, more economically stable, and more inclusive. Efforts to support food security must focus on creating inclusive policies, empowering women, improving infrastructure, and addressing gender inequalities in agriculture. With these steps, food security can pave the way for a more just and equitable world, benefiting all people, including the most vulnerable.
