Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

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Francois STEPMAN

Member since
Organization: GFAiR - The Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation
Country: France
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François Stepman

has over 30 years’ experience in development co-operation, policy advisory research and capacity building in southern research institutes. He lived for many years in Africa where he worked for United Nation Programme for Development (UNDP) in Mauritania; Médecins Sans Frontières in Kenya; Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) in Ghana and ICARDA in Egypt. He is the co-administrator since 2010 of the online agricultural news platform PAEPARD (Platform for African European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development) funded by the European Commission. In this capacity, he has been extensively blogging on agricultural issues in Africa and manages an online community of 11,300 members. He is presently Outreach and Resource Mobilisation Partnership Facilitator with the Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation.

This member contributed to:

    • Francois STEPMAN

      GFAiR - The Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation
      France

      Below is the contribution from GFAiR on 13/12/2024

      1. While drafting the report, HLPE-FSN experts will to a number of guiding principles Do you agree with the guiding principles indicated above?

      The guiding principles - to ensure legitimacy among stakeholders - should provide a strong foundation to ensure women's access to nutrient-dense Indigenous foods which supports their reproductive health, reduces anemia, and fosters overall well-being​.

      2. Should the objectives include mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples food and knowledge systems for the benefit of all, or solely for Indigenous Peoples as rights holders?

      The objectives should prioritize Indigenous women as rights holders, as they are central to food preparation and nutrition within their communities. Particularly indigenous women are the custodians of the Food Heritage, receiving a diversity of lable: Indigenous Foods, Forgotten Foods, Traditional crops, Neglected Crops, Underutilized species, Under-researched crops, Minor crops, Crops of the future, Opportunity Crops, Smart Foods, Nutrient dense foods. However, mainstreaming these systems for broader use can amplify the benefits, such as improving women's health globally by addressing common deficiencies like iron and folic acid​​, and in general the benefits of healthy nutritious food to limit the present hidden cost of poor nutritious food on health.

      3. What are the challenges related to Free, Prior and Informed Consent and Access and Benefit Sharing when widely promoting and/or mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples food and knowledge systems?

      • Ensuring equitable benefit-sharing for Indigenous women, who are often custodians of food traditions, can be challenging.
      • Commercialization risks could marginalize Indigenous women or undervalue their knowledge, impacting their livelihoods and mental well-being.
      • Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) frameworks need to address gender-specific concerns, such as women's roles in knowledge transmission and health interventions​.

      4. How can the report ensure inclusion of marginalized groups, sustainability, and protection against commercialization risks?

      • Advocate for women-led initiatives in food production and entrepreneurship, such as the African Food Heritage Project (by Foodbridge), which empowers women through economic opportunities​. https://www.thefoodbridge.org/index.php/food-heritage-project/194-food-heritage-project
      • Highlight policy recommendations that ensure Indigenous women's traditional knowledge remains central and benefits them directly.
      • Promote gender-sensitive approaches to sustainability, ensuring women retain control over their roles in food systems​.

      5. How should oral knowledge and traditions be documented and referenced in the development of the report?

      • Use participatory approaches that prioritize Indigenous women’s voices, ensuring their roles in preserving culinary and medicinal practices are documented. A great example is the GAMAAL app https://gamaal.co.uk/ 
      • Tools like recipe books and digital platforms (e.g., Gamaal App) can showcase women’s contributions to traditional food knowledge while promoting health-focused education​.

      6. What dimensions linked to Indigenous Peoples’ agency, e.g., governance issues, could be addressed?

      • Elevate women's agency in food governance, recognizing their dual roles as producers and caregivers.
      • Encourage women-led cooperatives and networks to foster collaboration and advocacy for their health needs within broader governance structures​​.

      7. Are there important/relevant policy papers and instruments missing from the foundational documents list?

      • Include FAO’s "Compendium of Forgotten Foods in Africa," which links Indigenous foods to improved health outcomes​.
      • GFAR’s Global Manifesto on Forgotten Foods, which underscores women’s roles in sustainable food systems, is another key resource​.

      8. Could you please indicate relevant references that should be taken into account?

      • FAO’s "Future Smart Food" report for linking nutrient-dense crops to women's health​.
      • The Nutrition Business Monitoring tool by GAIN, which supports women entrepreneurs in integrating Indigenous foods into health-focused businesses​.

      9. What best practices, ethical standards, and strategies for addressing climate change should be highlighted?

      • Promote regenerative farming and agroecological practices that empower women to sustainably grow and use traditional crops.
      • Highlight development and action research projects, which integrate Indigenous foods into health systems, reducing anemia and malnutrition among women​. Again a great example is KOKO plus: Forgotten Foods / Opportunity Crops and Nutrition in the First 1000 Days https://paepard.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-spotlight-nutrition-in-first-1000.html

      10. Which best practices or strategies to promote cross-cultural understanding should be highlighted?

      • Support initiatives like diaspora-led food festivals that celebrate women’s roles in culinary heritage, promoting mental well-being through cultural connection​​.
      • Document and share stories of women using Indigenous foods to address health issues, fostering empathy and global understanding​.

      11. Are the previous legal documents such as Prior and Informed Consent enough, or do they need to be revised?

      Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) needs to be strengthened to explicitly consider gender dynamics, ensuring Indigenous women are not sidelined in decision-making processes. Integrating health-focused frameworks like the OneHealth agenda can further enhance its relevance to women's physical and mental health​.

       

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