WFF’s Global Youth Action Initiative at the UN Women Expert Group Meeting

The World Food Forum (WFF)’s Global Youth Action Initiative (Youth Initiative) continues to champion youth-led solutions for sustainable and equitable agrifood systems. Recently, two representatives, Isnawati Hidayah from the Young Scientists Group and Marilena Bachmeier from the Youth Policy Board (YPB), brought the youth voice to the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on SDG 5 (Gender Equality), held in preparation for the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) at the UN Women headquarters in New York. This key gathering focused on advancing sustainable, inclusive, science-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda.

As a scientist, Isnawati highlighted how gender inequalities in agrifood systems disproportionately impact young women, particularly single mothers, child brides and rural communities. “This was an opportunity to ensure evidence-based solutions truly empower young women and girls by prioritizing gender-responsive social protection, education and digital access”, she shared.

Marilena, in her capacity as a YPB member, and having contributed to developing the Global Youth Action Plan, spoke on the need to include youth leadership in policy and governance. “It was empowering to collaborate with experts across disciplines, ensuring gender equality remains at the heart of sustainable development and policy implementation”, she reflected.

The session involved several breakout groups, to which key outcomes from the discussions include:

• Advancing economic and social protection: Strengthening policies to break the cycle of poverty for women, with a focus on accessible education and training opportunities, financial inclusion, social safety nets, and access to land rights.
• Bridging the digital divide: Expanding digital education and STEM opportunities for women and girls to ensure equal participation in the digital economy.
• Climate equity and women’s leadership: Investing in gender-responsive climate solutions, recognizing the leadership of women in agrifood systems, and ensuring access to climate finance.
• Youth as policy shapers: Strengthening youth engagement in governance and decision-making to drive long-term, gender-transformative change.

The outcomes of the EGM on SDG5, will initiate a year-long consultation process aimed at drafting a youth recommendation paper focusing on the needs of young women in agrifood systems, particularly looking at the role of education (SDG4) and decent employment (SDG8), to be presented at HLPF in July 2025.

The WFF Youth Initiative remains committed to ensuring youth voices shape global policies that drive gender equality and sustainable agrifood systems. The EGM was a powerful reminder that while progress is slow, change is possible with collective action and unwavering commitment.