“The acute food insecurity and malnutrition experienced by women and girls is due to socioeconomic inequalities, cultural norms, limited decision-making autonomy, insufficient sharing of child care or household responsibilities, [and] difficulties in accessing resources, finance or land. A comprehensive approach is essential if we want to see real change.”Salina Grenet-Catalano
Director for Global Affairs, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, French Republic (high-level CGE event, New York, 24 September 2024)
[A4.5] In 2025, France will allocate 50 percent of its food assistance programme to nutrition, including women's nutrition, and 15 percent to school meals, recognizing their central role in strengthening gender equality in the context of food security and nutrition. Politically, France will participate as co-chair of the School Feeding Coalition at its second global meeting in Fortaleza, Brazil, on 18–19 September 2025. Additionally, gender equality will be a top priority at the Paris Nutrition for Growth Summit, hosted by France on 27–28 March 2025.
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In 2025, at least 50 percent of French food assistance programmes will be allocated to nutrition (with a nutrition policy marker score of 1 or 2 from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), and at least 15 percent will be allocated to support school feeding programmes.
Nutrition is a cornerstone of health, productivity and sustainable development. Yet malnutrition remains a global challenge, disproportionately affecting women and girls. While women are central to food production and preparation, they often eat last and least, a direct consequence of gender inequalities in agrifood systems that restrict their access to resources, education and decision-making power. Ensuring adequate nutrition is not just a health priority, but a fundamental driver of gender equality, food security and economic resilience.
Scaling up commitments to nutrition is critical, particularly through school feeding programmes, which have proven to improve educational outcomes for girls, enhance household food security, and expand long-term economic opportunities. France has demonstrated strong leadership in advancing gender equality in nutrition programmes, particularly through food assistance and school meal initiatives.
Domestically, policies such as the EGalim law emphasize sustainable and equitable access to school meals, while social pricing mechanisms ensure that all children, including those from vulnerable households, can benefit. Internationally, France has consistently supported school feeding programmes that improve nutrition and education outcomes for girls, recognizing their role in breaking cycles of poverty and food insecurity.
Beyond programmatic interventions, strengthening commitments to gender-responsive nutrition policies is crucial for building more inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. France has been at the forefront of global advocacy efforts, using its political leadership to mobilize resources, shape international policy agendas, and drive multilateral action on gender and nutrition. As co-chair of the School Meals Coalition, the country will take part in the second Global Summit of the School Meals Coalition in September 2025 in Brazil. France will also host the Paris Nutrition for Growth Summit in March 2025, demonstrating its commitment to scaling up financial and political support for nutrition-focused gender equality initiatives.
By reinforcing its domestic and international commitments, France is leveraging its experience and influence to ensure that gender-transformative nutrition policies become a key pillar of food security strategies worldwide, helping to create a future where women and girls are no longer the most vulnerable to malnutrition, but are empowered as key drivers of sustainable development and agrifood systems transformation.
Towards Real Gender Equality in France: Key Figures – 2023 Edition (infographic)
Gender Equality: Our Activity 2023 (infographic)
Required citation:
FAO. 2025. Commit to Grow Equality: investing in the future of women in agrifood systems – Progress report 2025. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd4123en
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