**2. Definition of sustainable food security**

To examine the role of women's actions in the battle against food insecurity, it is important to have an explanation of what this concept conveys. For this reason, considering the wording of [10], food security


Furthermore, when considering the statement of the World Food Summit (1996) about the concept as it is given, 'when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life', the need for sufficient availability of nutrient-rich foods seems to define food security. Hence, in FAO's logic, clearly, 03 elaborated conditions must exist to define food security. These are

*A View of Sub-Saharan Africa from the Perspective of Food Security and Gender DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106392*


Thus, as seen above, food security is any system that provides the consuming entity with enough food to meet nutritional needs. When this system can be longterm [13], the concept of sustainability has its legitimacy. Thus, in sustainable food security, reference is made to any system that can provide the consumer necessary quantity and quality of goods over time. Quality refers to the nutritional value of the food. As for the notion of time, it refers to future generations. However, it is essential to point out that there is no exact definition of the 'food security' concept because quality requirements are progressive over time.

After examining what is hidden behind the 'food security' concept, the positioning of the present work is to clarify how women can provide support in the three pillars that define food security as defined by the FAO. The present work also investigates if women's support can contribute to the achievement of food security objectives. To do so, the light will first be shed on the skills of women in different sectors of activity.

### **3. Definition of sustainable food safety**

Food and nutrition literacy is a newly emerged concept to connect food-related knowledge and skills to healthy diets [15]. Nutrition literacy is the combination of access to, analysis and evaluation of the information related to food and nutrition, making and implementing good decisions, maintaining healthy eating, choosing and consuming a proper amount of healthy food, and the motivation, knowledge, skill, attitude, behaviour and abilities required for the evaluation of the motivation needed to ensure food security and the working of the food system. The recognition and dissemination of food and nutrition literacy in society will aid in the improvement of well-being, healthy nutrition maintenance and healthy food selection [16]. It would be useful if all stakeholders were to cooperate in the planning and implementation of food literacy initiatives where effective, theory-based training methods focusing on knowledge, skills and behaviour are used.

Activities that involve conscious behavioural change such as education and extension, as well as practices that increase food education and training, can enhance diet quality by reducing food insecurity [17, 18]. Of course, here along with limited food literacy, access to food and the ability to prepare healthy foods are also important. According to this, all stakeholders should work in cooperation for food and nutrition literacy.

In this context, it is important to establish an effective food control system. Because an effective food control system provides assurances to governments and the public that the available food is safe for human consumption and can be sold or traded. It, therefore, aims to [19].

(1) protect public health by reducing FDB risks; (2) protect consumers from fraudulent practices including mislabelling and adulteration; and (3) support economic development by ensuring the quality and safety of products sold and or traded [20].

Components of a national food control system include an enabling legislative framework, a food control management system, food inspection, laboratories for monitoring hazards and surveillance, information, education, communication and training of value chain operators and consumers.

These data and determinations show that there is a need for a comprehensive food safety policy on a national and global scale in any case. In many African countries, the food safety mandate is spread over many agencies and authorities, with unclear responsibilities leading to inaction and duplication. In most cases, countries lack effective national coordination mechanisms [19].
