**Abstract**

Nowadays, in most households, food and nutrition affairs are delegated to women. However, in the sub-Saharan regions, like the most undeveloped countries, food security is still in danger. Such a situation is not observed in developed countries. Why so? Is women's positive contribution to food security only reserved for developed countries? How can women in less developed countries intervene in food security? This paper analyses food security from a gender perspective and focuses on women's participation and empowerment as means to eradicate food insecurity.

**Keywords:** sub-Saharan Africa, SSA, food security, food safety, equality, gender

### **1. Introduction**

Although food security is seen as a primary problem in Africa and Asia, it is essentially a problem for the whole world. However, besides food security, the issue of food safety is also in the field of interest of every country, especially in industrialized countries. The issue of ending poverty (no poverty) and hunger (zero hunger) on a global scale is among the top priorities of the UN SDGs. Unfortunately, this global problem could not be ended in the last century and is among the priority issues of the twenty-first century. Therefore, ensuring food security is a very important goal for the UN. According to the UN FAO, 'Universal access to safe food is a key requirement for the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals'. Despite this, an estimated 600 million people get sick each year from eating unsafe food, and 420,000 of them die [1], Safe food is also critical for economic development and the international food trade. It should also be noted that, unfortunately, due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will not be possible for the UN to achieve its goals in this area until 2030 [2].

In our patriarchal society, roles and perceptions are categorized at a very early age according to gender. Therefore, throughout life, responsibilities will be assigned, preferably according to sex [3]. But with economic progress, society is becoming more liberal. Additionally, more voices are challenging the pre-existing gender perception by calling for gender equality. This demand is reflected in the fifth goal of the seventeenth sustainable development goal (SDG5) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly: Achieve gender equality through the empowerment of women and girls [4]. Thus, it is encouraged to highlight the potential of women and girls and to give them greater exposure.

More visibility, indeed, in a society that has always tended to stifle and control the female gender in almost everything. In such a society, until now, it has often been observed that for the same qualifications as men, women are paid less. In Germany, for example, the first power in the European Union, 21.5% of women are paid less than men [5]. The primordial roles that our so-called modern civilizations offer and accept for women without amalgamation are those related to the housewife position; in other words, the role of the housewife. As it is stated by Eurostat, the percentage of women engaged in domestic chores is 97.3% in Finland; even in Belgium, the capital of the European Union, 95.6% of women handle the home's well-being [6]. Overall, the share of women who take care of children, housework and cooking is much higher than that of men. In 2016, the number of women aged 25–49 (with children under 18) who cared for their children every day stood at 93% in the EU, compared with 69% of men. In addition, 78% of women cooked or (and) did daily household chores, compared with 32% of men [7]. However, women's involvement in household welfare is unavoidable. Moreover, any situation that disrupts women's conditions may impact food security within the household.

Even though agriculture accounts for three-quarters of women's income in sub-Saharan Africa [8], and women make up a significant portion of the agricultural labour force [9], the region is experiencing an increase in the prevalence of food insecurity. In such a situation, would it not be helpful if chefs in the households had detailed nutritional knowledge? Should more attention not be paid to the training and education of the female gender to achieve sustainable development goals, especially in reducing hunger and promoting food security? This study aims to explain and find the means of combating the scourge of malnutrition and hunger in sub-Saharan Africa.
