We often talk about the global food crisis as if it’s just about climate change, conflicts, or market disruptions. But beneath it all lies a silent, often overlooked driver—gender inequality.
From who grows the food, who gets paid for it, who eats first at the dinner table, to who makes decisions about land—gender roles shape every layer of our food systems. And when women and marginalized groups are excluded, the impact ripples far beyond individuals. It weakens food security for entire families, communities, and regions.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ranjitha Puskur, Principal Scientist in the Gender and Livelihoods program at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). With years of on-the-ground research and policy experience, Dr. Puskur helps us understand why tackling gender inequality is central to solving food insecurity.
We explore:
• What gender inequality in food systems really looks like in everyday life
• Why women—despite producing much of the world’s food—are still among the hungriest
• How food is distributed within households, and why “who eats first” matters
• Local, community-driven actions that can shift entrenched gender roles
• Real-world examples where empowering women has strengthened nutrition and food security outcomes
If you’re curious about how addressing gender inequality can transform not just households but entire food systems, this conversation will give you fresh, grounded insights.
About Nutrition Every Day: A special podcast series by The Good Sight and Rise Against Hunger India, bringing sharp, grounded perspectives on health and nutrition.
Credits
Host: Shreya M
Guest: Dr. Ranjitha Puskur
Research: Alisha C
Artwork: Rajnikant S
Produced by: The Good Sight
Concept: The Good Sight & Rise Against Hunger India
For feedback or to participate, write to us at contact@thegoodsight.org
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