Tune in to Episode 05 of Bite the Talk: “When women choose to challenge”. We hear from Catherine Bertini, whose perspective on women in food systems is shaped by a lifelong experience including many pivotal personal roles.
In this episode, our guest Catherine Bertini takes us through some of her personal experiences, showing how they shaped her path to becoming the woman she is today. At an early age, Catherine heard the words "Sometimes we must let the boys win" – a short sentence that represents a reality for many. This and several other experiences have brought her to fight for gender equality throughout her career, choosing to challenge the status quo.
The roles women play within food systems are wide and varied – and increasingly recognised. Women purchase food, they are the cooks, and they are often the ones who decide what food ends up on the table. If we are to end hunger and improve nutritional outcomes in populations, it is essential to involve, engage, and learn from women in the process.
Catherine Bertini is a 2003 World Food Prize Laureate and public servant, recipient of several awards. Currently, she is a distinguished fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Chair of the Board of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). She has also been named a Champion of the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit. In 2013, she received the Women Extraordinaire Award from the International Women Associates.