New York, NY – March 12-23, 2018 — As part of the 62nd Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) taking place at United Nations Headquarters on March 12-23, 2018, The Hunger Project will lead a delegation of community-level trainers, advocates and women activists from Hunger Project offices around the world who will join the session in New York and highlight the achievements of rural women and girls. On Wednesday, March 14, the delegation will meet with members of the press to highlight The Hunger Project’s contribution to this year’s CSW (details below).
This year’s CSW focuses on the empowerment of rural women and girls and on their challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality. As a women-centered, community-focused organization with a 40-year track record of mobilizing and empowering rural communities, The Hunger Project and its delegation will highlight the central role played by women in ending hunger and poverty and the importance of scaling up community-led development across Africa, South Asia and Latin America.
The Hunger Project’s delegation will include development workers and women activists from Ghana and India, program staff and government officials from Mexico, as well as program staff and activists from Sweden. The delegation will highlight women’s unique contributions to global efforts to end hunger and poverty, calling on governments and international organizations to set policies in place that empower rural women, girls and youth who are taking the lead in creating their own change.
“Rural women and girls have suffered the most from entrenched patriarchy, yet today they are rising up with unprecedented force to lead the way to a more just society,” said The Hunger Project’s Executive Vice President, John Coonrod. “CSW62 is a historic opportunity for all of us who stand with them. I’m proud that our Hunger Project delegation from around the world demonstrates the courage, solidarity and strategic focus required at this pivotal moment in human history.”
Rural women often face several challenges in achieving their vision of a prosperous and self-reliant future for themselves and their families. They are often subject to harmful practices such as child marriage or are deprived of their rights, including the right to live free of violence, to land and productive assets, food security, healthy nutrition, education, health and access to reproductive services.
The Hunger Project supports rural women, who are the community leaders and primary caregivers of their families. In addition to working the land, they also support their families, promote the food security of their children and entire communities and actively contribute to the wealth of their countries.
About the delegation
The Hunger Project will lead a delegation of community-level trainers, advocates and women activists from Hunger Project offices around the world, who will be in New York from March 12-16. The delegation will meet with members of the press on Wednesday, March 14 between 8:00-10:00 am at the POD39 Hotel located in New York City at 145 E 39th Street. More information on how to join in person and remotely is included in the attached Media Advisory.
The Hunger Project-Ghana
Samuel Afrane, Country Director: Samuel joined The Hunger Project-Ghana in 2012 as the National Program Officer and has been Country Director since 2013. He has over 20 years of experience in development planning, poverty reduction and rural development. Samuel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Planning and a Master’s degree in Development Policy and Planning, and has held positions in implementing IFAD-funded programs and as Metropolitan Development Planning Officer in the government.
Nada Assare, Program Officer.
The Hunger Project-India
Ruchi Yadav, Director of Programs: Ruchi joined The Hunger Project-India in 2007, where she is in charge of program strategy implementation and management across seven states. She also supervises the training portfolio and is responsible for mainstreaming gender in all interventions. Prior to The Hunger Project, she worked on issues related to women’s rights and human rights in South Asia and South East Asia. She has over 15 years of experience in the development sector and in advertising. Ruchi holds a Master’s degree in International Development from the School of International Service at the American University in Washington, DC. In 2012, she was selected by Yale University as one of its World Fellows.
Veda Bharadwaja, National Program Officer – Advocacy & Research: Veda joined The Hunger Project-India in 2010 as the Program Officer for Advocacy and Research. She works in close coordination with program staff, at the national and state level, in designing and implementing advocacy strategies and programs. In addition, Veda also oversees the implementation of The Hunger Project’s program interventions in Bihar and Rajasthan. In 2013, she was nominated to attend the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) in the U.S. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi).
Darshan Surendranath, National Program Officer: Darshan joined The Hunger Project-India in 2009 as Program Officer, Monitoring and Evaluation. He currently oversees program interventions in the states of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Uttarakhand. Prior to The Hunger Project, Darshan was a Senior Analyst at Datamonitor PLC, working on data forecasting and modelling. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics.
Somasekhar, State Coordinator: For the past three years, Somasekhar has worked with The Hunger Project-India as State Coordinator. He is responsible for programs in the state of Karnataka, which includes program strategizing, implementing, managing partners, tracking grants, and budget utilization as well as advocacy activities. Previously, he worked with Every Child UK in Karnataka for six years. Somasekhar is also actively involved with the Dalit & Child Rights networks in the state. He holds a Master’s degree in Physics from Gulbarga University, Karnataka.
The Hunger Project-Mexico
Lorena Vázquez Ordaz, Country Director: Lorena has been with THP-Mexico for 15 years as an investor, a volunteer, staff, and since 2004, as Country Director. She has 22 years of professional experience in the social and private sectors. She is currently an advisor to the National Crusade Against Hunger, to the Civil Society Consultative Board CONSOC, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). She has previously sat on citizens’ consultative committees for several official organizations for development (SEDESOL, COMPLADEM, Consejo Técnico de la Ley de Fomento, Consejo Técnico de Iniciativa México).
Ana Lucía Marquez, Advocacy and Public Policy Manager: In her capacity, Ana works with national and regional governments to advocate for women-centered, community-led development in Mexico and actively promotes the participation of rural and indigenous women and youth in decision-making. Ana Lucía coordinates and participates in civil society advocacy networks that focus on community development, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, civic participation, rural women’s rights, family farming and climate change. She is also a member of the Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance.
About The Hunger Project
The Hunger Project is a global non-profit organization whose mission is to end hunger and poverty by pioneering sustainable, grassroots, women-centered strategies and advocating for their widespread adoption in countries throughout the world. The Hunger Project is active in 22 countries throughout the world, with global headquarters based in New York. The Hunger Project’s vision is of a world where every woman, man and child leads a healthy, fulfilling life of self-reliance and dignity. The Hunger Project’s work is founded upon three pillars: We start with women; we mobilize entire communities into self-reliant action; and we foster effective partnerships to engage with local government. For more information, visit www.thp.org.