“Sarah, a mother of five children, was once a petty trader, struggling to make ends meet while her husband was unemployed. Food insecurity was a constant challenge in her household, often leading to tensions and domestic abuse.” 

Over 80% of Women in Nigeria Are Engaged in the Informal Sector

According to the FAO (2024), women, particularly those in rural areas, experience food insecurity at higher rates than men and often bear the greatest burden of food scarcity within families. As homemakers, they shoulder the primary responsibility for their families’ welfare, often prioritizing the needs of others over their own to ensure that every household member is cared for. In Nigeria’s informal sector, over 80% of women are engaged in small-scale businesses and self-employment, including petty trade, agriculture, and market activities—sectors that form a significant part of the country’s economy. However, these informal activities are typically low-income and unstable, making financial access to nutritious meals a challenge. As a result, many women are forced to make do with limited resources, sometimes resorting to piecing together whatever food is available or even going without meals entirely.

In retrospect, the barriers women face in the informal sector not only hinder their ability to achieve economic empowerment but also deepen their vulnerability to food insecurity. Limited access to education, formal employment, and essential support structures—such as business loans and financial services—restrict their economic mobility, forcing them to navigate a fragile sector. These systemic challenges perpetuate cycles of poverty, inequality, and dependency, making it even harder for women to break free from economic hardship and secure a sustainable future for themselves and their families.

“Her children were on the brink of malnutrition and, without the financial resources, they were unable to attend school. However, everything changed when the Lagos Food Bank Initiative introduced the Family Farming intervention.”

The Role of Food Security in National Development

Food security is the cornerstone of a thriving economy. It ensures a healthy, productive population by reducing malnutrition, improving public health, and boosting workforce productivity. A food-secure nation reduces dependency on imports, fosters local agriculture, and creates jobs. It promotes social stability by minimizing inequality and ensuring equitable food access, reducing competition over scarce resources and contributing to peacebuilding. By prioritizing food security, nations create a foundation for sustainable development, environmental resilience, and long-term prosperity, benefiting individuals, communities, and the economy as a whole.

When women are food-secure, the benefits extend beyond their well-being to their families and communities. Through food security, women gain economic and social empowerment, creating sustainable livelihoods in agriculture, small-scale food production, and local markets. This financial stability enables them to support their families and break the cycle of poverty.

Challenges in Achieving Women’s Empowerment Through Food Security

Despite these benefits, several challenges hinder women’s participation in agriculture and national development. Systemic discrimination limits their access to land, training, technology, financial resources, and mobility—key factors for success in the sector.

To overcome these challenges, it is crucial for policies and programs to focus on removing these systemic barriers. Providing women with access to education, improving financial inclusion, and addressing gender-based discrimination are essential steps in empowering women and helping them secure sustainable livelihoods. Empowering women through food security is not just a matter of equity but also a strategic investment in economic growth and national stability.

“Sarah learnt about backyard farming, where she began growing vegetables and raising fowls. This not only allowed her to feed her family but also gave them access to a more nutritious and well-balanced diet. She also had surplus produce, which she sold for a profit in the market.”

Strategies to Empower Women Through Food Security

1. Access to Land: Ensuring that women have access to land is essential for their ability to cultivate crops and rear livestock. Access to land empowers women to take control of their food sources, generate income, and increase their families’ food security.
2. Education and Training: Equipping women with modern agricultural knowledge and skills not only improves food production but also strengthens their role in economic growth. Sustainable urban farming practices can enhance their families’ nutrition while creating resilience in local food systems. By integrating technology, women can boost productivity and efficiency, contributing to broader food security and development.
3. Access to Financial Resources: Expanding women’s access to microfinance, grants, and loans empowers them to invest in agriculture, increase productivity, and grow their businesses. With adequate financial support, they can build sustainable enterprises, strengthening food security in their communities and driving economic progress.
4. Community Support and Partnerships: Building strong community support networks and partnerships can help create an environment that encourages women’s participation in agriculture. These partnerships can include local cooperatives, NGOs, and government bodies working together to support women farmers with resources and mentorship.
5. Policy Advocacy: Championing policies that support women’s access to land, financial grants, education, and resources is critical. Governments must implement policies that remove barriers to women’s participation in agriculture and create a supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs in the food security sector. The National Agricultural Technology & Innovation Policy (NATIP) 2022–2027 is one such policy that aims to encourage the role of women and youth in agriculture.

“Today, Sarah is an empowered woman who not only sustains her own family but also trains other women in backyard farming. Her children are now in school, receiving a solid education, and peace has been restored in her household.”

Conclusion

Accelerating action to improve women’s access to and control over food resources is key to their empowerment, the well-being of their communities, and national development. Addressing these challenges will enable women to become self-reliant, healthier, and more productive, strengthening local economies and driving national progress. The time to act is now. With the above strategies, we can create a future where women are central to achieving global food security and sustainable development.