Women encouraged to drive food security through Food Gardens

The Deputy Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Veronica Tan, is encouraging the strengthening of women’s roles as drivers of food security and economic development through the Women’s Food Garden initiative.

“The Women’s Food Garden is a movement to return to nature as a source of local food for family life, while simultaneously encouraging the affirmation of women’s roles as the primary actors reviving local food knowledge,” said Deputy Minister Veronica Tan in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.

She made these remarks during a public discussion titled “Women and Food.”

Her office is also encouraging collaboration in the utilisation of local food to meet family needs and to create opportunities for women to derive economic benefits from managing food resources.

She noted that the Women’s Food Garden initiative is not limited to East Nusa Tenggara (NTT); North Maluku will also participate in developing the programme. Currently, the social forestry decree has been issued, and the schedule for handover to local women’s groups is awaiting implementation.

“We will continue to develop the potential of women through the food security sector, because change begins at the dining table. Food is not merely about satiety; it must provide nutrition for both women and future generations. Furthermore, when harvests can provide economic benefits, women will also have the space to increase their independence and the confidence to speak and be heard,” said Veronica Tan.

She emphasised that through the Women’s Food Garden, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection aims to position women as strategic subjects in economic development.