5th Africa Day of Food and Nutrition Security celebrations

November 3, 2014 - Last update: February 10, 2023

On 31 October and 3 November 2014, the African Union and the Government of Malawi celebrated Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security. The day is celebrated annually and aims to create a platform for stakeholders to discuss solutions and make recommendations on food and nutrition security in Africa. Since 2010, the African Union (AU) announced that the 30 October will be recognized each year as Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security.

2014 is the Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa and also marks 10 years since the African-owned Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) was endorsed by the AU Assembly. CAADP’s principal goal is to pursue an agriculture-led development agenda for reducing poverty and eradicating food insecurity and under-nutrition in Africa. Africa Day for Food and Nutrition security forms part of a series of events organised by the AU in this year where there is a strong focus on nutrition. The theme to commemorate the 2014 event is “Accelerated Action for a Hunger Free Africa” to drive solid commitment for action.

“By 2025, on this Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security, we must be celebrating our victory over hunger and malnutrition. It’s in our hands.” Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

NEPAD celebrates in Kinshasa, Congo

On 3 November 2014, the day was celebrated by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in Kinshasa, Congo. The event was organised in partnership with FAO, WFP, UNICEF, WHO, IFPRI, Helen Keller International, World Vision and Save the Children. A session was dedicated to increasing awareness on the Cost of Hunger Study in Africa (COHA) where the practical application of COHA was presented by Swaziland. Participants included high level representatives from African States, the UN System, civil society and donor organisations.

The day preceding the event in Kinshasa, the AU Commission organised an expert symposium to discuss the importance of sustainable diets for Africa’s Nutrition Security with special focus on traditional and indigenous diets.

The Government of Malawi celebrates food and nutrition events at Mchuchu Primary School in Lilongwe

On 31 October 2014, the Government of Malawi honoured Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security and International World Food Day (celebrated on 16 October) together at Mchuchu Primary School, T. A. Kalumbu in Lilongwe District. The event was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development with FAO, WFP, UN Women and partners. The event aimed to galvanize support for Malawi’s efforts towards the UN Secretary-General’s Zero Hunger Challenge and the AU declaration of a ‘Hunger Free Africa by 2015′.

UN Women also joined the celebration to promote the role of the rural woman and their contribution to family food security. This is particularly important in Malawi as women make up to 70% of the agricultural workforce. A communiqué developed by women farmers in honour of International Day of Rural Women (celebrated on 15 October) fed into the celebrations.