The Hunger Project, a global non-profit organisation creating a world without hunger, has announced its theme for this year’s World Hunger Day, to be held on 28th May 2024.
“Thriving Mothers. Thriving World.” focuses on the tie between a mother’s nutrition and her child’s potential. From Gaza to Ukraine and points in between, women and children are facing malnutrition due to war, famine, climate change and many other factors. This year’s campaign theme raises awareness about steps that we can take to eliminate malnutrition in all its forms to create opportunities for all.
“There are more than 1 billion women and girls who are living with malnutrition today,” said Tim Prewitt, CEO of The Hunger Project. “It can severely impact their own development and the development of their future children, physically and cognitively. This creates a vicious cycle that must be broken if we are to create a world without hunger.”
Malnutrition is one of the biggest contributors to the cycle of chronic hunger. The effects are passed down from mother to child. Malnourished mothers give birth to malnourished babies. Girls are often fed last and least, and mothers often eat only after the rest of their family is fed. And, because girls are often married at a young age, before they are fully developed, and begin having babies early, malnourished girls give birth to malnourished babies. Improper nutrition during the first 1,000 days can be irreversible and can cause catastrophic harm to physical and mental health, including inhibiting cognitive development.
Created in 2011, World Hunger Day drives visibility of the issues surrounding hunger and how to overcome them. Each year on 28th May, participants are inspired to take actionable steps to end global hunger. The Hunger Project is a leading force behind ending hunger in multiple countries across the world.
This World Hunger Day, The Hunger Project is asking people to help break the cycle of malnutrition for women and children.