Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is “Feed Her Future”?

Feed Her Future is much more than a campaign about nutrition. Through Feed Her Future, CARE Canada is working with partners, country offices and the Canadian public to feed the future of women and girls. We do this by creating opportunities, challenging gender norms, and promoting gender-sensitive health practices – thereby truly improving “her” access to nutrition. Together, we are shining a light on women and girls’ access to nutrition as a basic human right. Together, we are helping to improve access to nutrition for women and girls by creating environments where they can become champions of their own futures.

2. What differentiates Feed Her Future from other nutrition-based initiatives campaigns?

Feed Her Future is about uncovering the social and gender norms that are affecting women’s access to nutrition. “Feeding” women and girls properly involves more than food. This is the foundation of our gender transformative nutrition programming. Our programs involve working with women, men, girls and boys, healthcare providers and community volunteers to engage future champions of our initiatives to create sustainable change.

3. Why does the Feed Her Future campaign focus on women and girls?

Women are primarily responsible for the care and nutrition of household members, but have very little control over income and possess limited authority to make decisions. Inequality between men and women is one of the key barriers to women exercising their right to food. That’s why CARE places particular focus on working alongside women and girls – they have the power to help families and communities! Our Feed Her Future campaign is focused on raising awareness and engaging with Canadians about the importance of giving women and girls access to proper nutrition, through the lens and learning of the Southern African Nutrition Initiative.

4. What is the Southern African Nutrition Initiative?

CARE Canada's Southern African Nutrition Initiative is a $24.6 million CAD project funded by the Government of Canada and CARE. Launched in March 2016, this initiative is being delivered in partnership between CARE Canada, Cuso International, the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD), McGill University, and the Governments of implementing countries. CARE aims to reach over 575,000 beneficiaries through this project, contributing to the improved nutrition and health of women and girls, as well as men and boys. Working with local health authorities and communities in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, our project delivers high quality, gender-centered programming that focus on women and girls’ right to food.

5. Why Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia specifically?

On the basis of CARE’s own baseline evaluations in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, we have provided an overview of the current nutrition situation in these three countries. Overall, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia continue to have some of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world, which can largely be attributed to malnutrition. Moreover, food insecurity is a widespread, regional issue, worse amongst female‐headed households.

6. What does “nutritional status” mean?

“Nutritional status” is a term used when referring to the status of one’s nutritional health, which is influenced by one’s diet, nutrients intake, etc. CARE’s programs are designed to give women, families, and health providers the tools they need to improve their nutritional status, while working with local health authorities and communities in these countries.

7. How is Feed Her Future helping women and girls in Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi?

We are helping women and girls in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia by introducing and implementing gender transformative programming in these communities to reduce the inequalities between women and men, girls and boys. Consult the Southern African Nutrition Initiative and Her Right to Food pages to learn more about the different ways in which we are transforming the gender norms.

8. How is CARE ensuring that communities continue to prosper after the project is over?

CARE’s programming requires the participation of women, men, families, local leaders, healthcare providers and community volunteers in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia to identify future successors and program champions to foster a sustainable environment. Our work is foundational and intended to help these communities implement lasting change and thrive.

9. How can I get involved?

There are many ways you can help to #FeedHerFuture: