Larissa Tuohy, Author at ChildFund Australia

World Food Day is celebrated annually on 16 October and aims to raise awareness of ongoing efforts to eliminate poverty, hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.

Why is World Food Day important?

World Food Day aims to raise awareness of global hunger and encourage people to take action. The observance highlights the need to ensure food security for everyone around the world, especially those in remote communities who are most vulnerable.

When was the first World Food Day?

The first World Food Day was held in 1979 and was established by FAO’s (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) Member Countries at the organisation’s 20th General Conference.

What is the theme for World Food Day 2022?

The 2022 theme for World Food Day is “Leave no one behind”.

The FAO states that access to, and the availability of nutritious food is being increasingly impeded by current global challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, climate change, inequality and rising prices have created a domino effect. Millions of people around the world cannot afford a healthy diet, putting them at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition.

World Food Day 2022 aims to bring awareness to these issues, highlighting the need for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all. The theme of “Leave no one behind” emphasises that a sustainable world is one where everyone counts.

How can you get involved and celebrate World Food Day?

Get involved and mark this World Food day in a meaningful way. Here are some of the ways you can get involved aYou can get involved and mark this World Food day in a meaningful way. Here are some of the ways you can get involved and celebrate World Food Day 2022:

Spreading awareness: Through social media or word-of-mouth, spread awareness about food security and the injustice of this issue that affects so many people around the world.

Educating yourself and others: Take the time to educate yourself and the people around you by sharing facts and statistics about food security and the consequences of food shortages. here are a number of YouTube videos, stories, factsheets and blogs for you to discover.

Building a vegetable garden: A great way to teach your children about food is to show them where it comes from. Building a vegetable garden is a great way to spark conversation about food security and where our food originates. You can also consider donating fruit trees and vegetable seeds from our Gifts for Good range to families in need.

Becoming conscious of your food waste: In Australia each year, we waste around 7.3 million tonnes of food, which equals about 300kg per person. Try and minimise your food waste and encourage others to do the same.

Taking action and making a donation: You can make a difference by donating to our Hunger Crisis Appeal and encouraging friends and family to do the same. Your money will go towards improving food security for children who are suffering due to severe shortages of food and water.

Make a meaningful change to help fight famine this World Food Day

Join us in working towards a world where every child can live a life free of hunger and famine. Food security is one of the most essential foundations to reducing poverty overseas, and improving the lives of the children and families with whom ChildFund works.

Severe drought, coupled with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, disease and conflict has led to more than 4 million people in Kenya being currently in need of emergency food assistance. More than a million of them are children and mothers, who are malnourished and urgently need food and water.

You can help to fight famine by donating to our Hunger Crisis Appeal this World Food Day, and ensuring that the most vulnerable children have a stable supply of food during the current global challenges. Your donation will provide emergency cash transfers to families who need it most.

Your donation will also help to provide water, livestock feeds, and prevent and treat malnutrition. Donate to our Hunger Crisis Appeal this World Food Day and help to make a difference to the lives of children and families most at risk.

International Day of the Girl Child is held annually on 11 October. Established by the United Nations (UN), this day is an opportunity to bring greater awareness to the particular challenges facing girls, particularly those living in poverty.

It is also a chance to celebrate girls’ achievements, promote empowerment, and advocate for the fulfilment of human rights for girls around the globe.

In celebration of International Day of the Girl Child, we’re taking a moment to pause and reflect on what the day means, and how you can mark the occasion yourself.

What is the origin of International Day of the Girl Child?

Twenty-five years ago, the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women was held. More than 30,000 people from 200 countries gathered in Beijing to recognise the human rights of women and girls.

This conference led to the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action which is the most comprehensive policy agenda for the empowerment of women. It was the first UN declaration that was specifically for girls and women’s rights.

On 19 December 2011 the UN adopted Resolution 66/170 which declared 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child. It was decided this day would be used to bring awareness to issues faced by girls around the world, including:

access to education;
child marriage;
gender-based violence; and
sexual and reproductive rights.

Each year a different theme is attached to the day, to keep the occasion current with contemporary priorities, and the pressing issues faced by women and girls.

What is the theme of International Day of the Girl Child in 2022?

International Day of the Girl Child 2022

This year’s theme is “Our time is now – our rights, our future”. 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl. While there has been increased attention on issues that matter to girls amongst governments across this period, the investment in girls’ rights ultimately remains limited.

With adversity however, comes resourcefulness, creativity, tenacity and resilience. As the United Nations says “it is time for us all to stand accountable – with and for girls – and to invest in a future that believes in their agency, leadership and potential”.

How you can get involved with International Day of the Girl Child activities

You can get involved with International Day of the Girl Child by spreading awareness about the challenges facing girls around the globe, or by donating to a cause that implements programs to improve the lives of girls.

Spreading awareness and educating people around you is an important role you can play. You can do this by sharing information on your social media or starting a conversation with colleagues, friends or family.

Another way you can get involved is by donating money to charities helping girls and young women in developing countries. One of the biggest challenges girls face is access to education.

At ChildFund, our work in education is focused on ensuring that girls have equal access to school and learning opportunities. This includes offering girls in South East Asia school scholarships, which cover tuition costs and provide girls with the school supplies and resources they need to stay in school.

If you’d like to show your support for girls on International Day of the Girl Child, consider donating one of our scholarships to a young girl.

You might also like to get a group together at work to contribute, as part of a workplace giving or corporate social responsibility program.

An equal future: supporting the rights of girls everywhere

At ChildFund, we don’t believe that girls’ futures are set in stone at birth. Every girl should have the right to choose their own path, access education and live life on their own terms.

Together, let’s empower girls and young women with the opportunities they need to succeed. If you would like to help girls in developing countries you can purchase a scholarship for a girl as a one-off donation or donate monthly to provide life-changing support.

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