Conflict & Crisis

Canada made significant investments to fight the global hunger crisis, but funding levels must increase drastically to meet record needs. The UN reports that 339 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid – the highest record in history – and acute food insecurity is escalating with 45 million people in 37 countries at a real risk of starvation. Women and girls are most vulnerable to hunger since they often eat last and least and experience greater economic insecurity.

The convergence of multiple global crises and conflicts underscores the need for a coherent feminist foreign policy for Canada. The government’s support for Ukraine has prioritized military spending above investments in conflict prevention, women’s participation in peace talks, support for women and 2SLGBTQI+ rights defenders, or addressing conflict-related sexual violence. Yemen is another example. Canadian feminist aid spending in Yemen would achieve better outcomes for women and girls if Canada stopped selling weapons to parties to the conflict.