Rural Women Cultivating Safe Food for All: Betty and Elizabeth Lead Change in North Malaita
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Across the Pacific, rural women are leading the charge to make markets safer, healthier, and stronger.
At the heart of Malu’u Market in the Solomon Islands, 48-year-old Betty Konairamo has been selling cooked food for over ten years. Yet until recently, she lacked knowledge about the critical importance of food handling, including safe time and temperature practices that are essential for consumer safety.
Before attending the Food Safety and Hygiene training organised by the UN Women’s Markets for Change (M4C) project, Betty struggled with understanding why food poisoning could occur. She said the training opened her eyes, broadening her understanding of food safety and hygiene. "I learned so much about proper food handling," she reflects, acknowledging the significant impact this knowledge would have on her informal business.
With newfound skills and confidence, Betty anticipated transforming her food offerings, ensuring they meet safety standards and enhance quality. She attributes much of her progress to the Malu'u Market Vendors Association (MVA) as a vital platform that amplifies rural women's voices and fosters collaboration among vendors. "Having an association is powerful," she emphasizes.
At the same market, Elizabeth Ofani, a 41-year-old rural woman vendor from Fulifo’e village, has been selling cooked food and fresh fish for over seven years. She also participated in the Food Safety, Handling, and Hygiene training through the Malu’u MVA.
Elizabeth is very thankful for the training. She also expressed her gratitude to the Malu'u Market Vendors Association, recognising that joining the association was a pivotal decision that enabled her to access this valuable training. "Being part of the association has opened doors I never knew existed," Elizabeth shared.
Through knowledge, solidarity, and leadership, Betty and Elizabeth are cultivating a culture of safer, healthier food at Malu’u Market. Their stories remind us that rural women do more than feed their families; they are raising the standard of health, safety, and empowerment for all.
The Markets for Change project promotes gender equality through the economic empowerment of women market vendors in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. It brings together governments, market vendors and market vendor associations, civil society organisations and UN agencies. It is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and the Australian Government.