Change does not always begin in parliaments or protest marches. Sometimes it begins in kitchens, around dinner tables, and in the everyday decisions about what families eat. Across the world, women play a central role in shaping household food environments, influencing the meals that nourish families and the habits that shape lifelong health (1). These daily choices may seem small, but they carry enormous power, shaping both the well-being of families and the future health of generations to come.
These everyday acts of influence reflect a broader truth: women have long played a powerful role in shaping societies. Throughout history, women have been at the forefront of movements that reshape societies, families, and futures. Yet despite progress, the work is far from done. International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on 8 March since 1911, is a global call to celebrate women’s achievements while raising awareness about discrimination and advancing gender equality (2). In 2026, the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” highlights the need to close persistent legal gaps. Globally, women hold only 64% of the legal rights available to men, and no country has yet achieved full legal equality. Across areas such as work, financial security, safety, property, and retirement, women remain systematically disadvantaged (3).
Progress toward equality can be measured through indicators such as the Global Gender Gap Index, which assesses parity across work and income, education, health, and political leadership. In 2025, the global gender gap across 148 economies was 68.8% closed. However, at the current pace, it could take another 123 years to reach full equality. Iceland ranks highest, having closed more than 90% of its gap, while South Africa has closed 76.7%, placing third in Sub-Saharan Africa and 33rd globally (4). These figures reflect encouraging progress, but they also show that significant gaps remain.
In South Africa, many women continue to face deep and interconnected inequalities. Financial dependency remains a concern, particularly where female unemployment is high, as economic vulnerability can increase exposure to domestic violence (5). This vulnerability is reflected in the broader crisis of gender-based violence, where an average of 15 women are murdered every day, most often with firearms (6). Economic inequality also persists, with South African women earning between 23% and 35% less than men (7). At the same time, patriarchal norms continue to limit women’s participation in leadership and decision-making spaces, particularly within traditional and religious structures (5). These challenges highlight why sustained action and empowerment across all areas of society remain essential.
History reminds us that South African women have never waited passively for change. One powerful example is the historic 9th of August 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, a defining moment in the struggle against apartheid and a turning point in women’s political activism in South Africa (5). Yet leadership is not only about holding public office; it is also expressed through daily influence, responsibility, and care. One of the most powerful and often overlooked spaces of leadership remains the home.
Leadership within the South African homes is both significant and measurable. In 2024, 42.4% of households were headed by women (7). The prevalence is even higher in rural areas at 47.1%, with provinces such as the Eastern Cape at 48.8% and KwaZulu-Natal at 46.8% reporting some of the highest proportions of female-headed households (9). These figures reflect not only demographic trends but responsibility and influence. Women who head households are often central decision makers in daily life, including food purchasing, meal preparation, children’s nutrition, and healthcare-seeking behaviour. When women run households, they influence what food is bought, prepared, and eaten. These daily choices shape the food environment at home, and that environment directly affects health. Therefore, when women make informed and healthy food choices, they are not simply feeding their families; they are shaping the health and future of the next generation (1).
Healthy diets are strongly associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes (10). This is particularly important for women’s health. In South Africa, nearly half of all adults (49.8%) are overweight or obese, but the burden falls disproportionately on women. While 31.3% of men are affected, the prevalence among women rises to 67.6%, meaning that roughly two out of every three women are living with overweight or obesity (11). Excess body weight significantly increases the risk of several noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke (12). Preventing these conditions improves quality of life and reduces long-term health problems.
Broader social and economic factors often shape these health challenges. In many low- and middle-income countries, women and girls are more likely to experience poverty and face barriers to education, economic opportunities, and healthcare, factors that can limit access to healthy foods and contribute to poorer health outcomes (13). At the same time, modern food environments often make unhealthy choices the easiest options. Highly processed foods that are high in refined carbohydrates, sugars, and industrially processed ingredients are widely available, heavily marketed, and often promoted as convenient or even healthy choices (14). Without access to clear nutrition education, many people lack the knowledge needed to question these messages or make informed food choices. There is also strong evidence that early-life nutrition influences health across the lifespan (15). This means that the food choices made within the home today can shape children’s dietary habits and health later in life. When families adopt healthier eating patterns, children are more likely to develop similar behaviours because parental dietary practices strongly influence children’s eating habits (16). In the long term, such patterns may contribute to wider societal benefits by encouraging healthier lifestyles across communities.
That is why we, at The Noakes Foundation, through the Eat Better South Africa program, promote a real-food LCHF lifestyle and share evidence-based nutritional knowledge across communities. Access to clear and practical nutrition education enables individuals to make informed choices that support metabolic health and reduce the risk of chronic disease. When women are equipped with this knowledge, the benefits extend far beyond one person. Empowering women with nutritional knowledge strengthens families. Empowered families build healthier communities, and healthier communities contribute to a stronger nation. Supporting women in their role as health leaders within the home is therefore not only about individual wellbeing, but about strengthening public health and creating a more sustainable future for society.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who have led historic justice movements and those who continue to challenge inequality in all its forms. We acknowledge that significant obstacles remain, from economic disparities to violence and exclusion. Yet we also recognise that leadership is expressed not only in national protests or public office, but in daily decisions that shape the lives of others. Small, intentional choices around food, health, and education have the power to transform futures. This International Women’s Day, we honour the women who march in the streets and the women who lead at the dinner table. Both are shaping the future.
Raja Pfisterer
Raja Pfisterer is a qualified nurse from Basel, Switzerland, currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Health Sciences with a major in Economics and Policy at the University of Lucerne. She combines clinical nursing experience with a strong interest in public health and is passionate about linking health and nutrition to support individual wellbeing and more sustainable healthcare approaches.
Raja is currently interning with The Noakes Foundation in Cape Town, where she is gaining practical experience in public health and learning about nutritional approaches to chronic disease in under-resourced communities through Eat Better South Africa.
Her interests include health equity, strengthening sustainable healthcare systems, and developing public health policy interventions that improve health outcomes while promoting health literacy and empowering individuals to take an active role in their own well-being. She hopes to dedicate her future career to understanding the social determinants of health, addressing health inequalities, and improving population health — particularly among vulnerable groups.
Through her work with The Noakes Foundation, Raja believes people can be empowered to take control of their health step by step, helping build healthier communities and support long-term well-being.
Reference List
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(6) Gun Free South Africa. (2025). Firearms briefing: Gun-related femicide in SA over 25 years: A call to action. https://groundup.org.za/media/uploads/documents/2025_briefing1_femicidesa_final-1.pdf
(7) Manyane, M. (2025). Women-headed households surge in South Africa, reveals Stats SA survey. IOL. https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2025-05-27-women-headed-households-surge-in-south-africa-reveals-stats-sa-survey/
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