From innovation to impact: Women at WFP accelerating action for Zero Hunger
Last month for International Women’s Day, we spoke to women innovators at the World Food Programme (WFP) about their work and their vision for the future of women-led innovation. This is what they had to say.
Edited by Lucy Bloxham
Your work is reshaping the fight against hunger. Can you share a specific innovation or solution you’ve developed, and how it is accelerating action?
Johanna Piaton de Turkheim, Regional Environmental Officer, Regional Bureau for Western Africa
In January 2021, with the support of the WFP Innovation Accelerator and WFP Haiti, I initiated an environmental project aimed at tackling plastic pollution and deforestation linked to cooking practices. The ‘Clean Cooking Project’ introduces sustainable cooking tools and training in the field.
One of my key innovations is the Heat Retention Bag, which I prototyped using my sewing machine and discarded plastics .I was inspired by existing technologies and set out to create a bag that could retain heat efficiently and reduce fuel consumption.
The process began with me purchasing tablecloths from the Port-au-Prince market and collecting wild plastics. I washed, shredded and tested various plastics for their thermal properties. Once I identified the most effective material, I collaborated with professional textile manufacturers and plastic recyclers to reproduce the innovation on a larger scale. Working closely with the people supported by the project, I refined the design based on feedback and successfully introduced the bags into local school canteens, resilience programmes and emergency households in Haiti. My team and I spent hours training cooks, demonstrating the bags in action and ensuring proper usage.
To date, more than 3,000 bags have been distributed in Haiti, helping to remove the equivalent of two Olympic pools’ worth of plastic waste from the environment. The project’s success led to expansion in Chad, where we’ve distributed over 5,000 bags — 4,200 of them locally produced and implemented in school canteens, refugee camps and host communities.
The Heat Retention Bag has proven transformative. It reduces charcoal use by up to 70 percent; cuts firewood collection by three times over; lowers energy costs by 50 percent and reduces indoor pollution and cooking-related injuries by 60 percent. Women are the primary users of the Clean Cooking Project, gaining more time, improved health, financial freedom and a lower environmental footprint.
Vivian Opondoh, Programme Assistant and Data Analyst, Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa
As a data analyst, much of my role focuses on improving how we collect, clean, analyse and visualize data. In my first few months at WFP, I developed a reusable Python script that streamlines data analysis within my unit. Since the data we collect at WFP is consistent, this script enables me to analyse it in a fraction of the time.
Another innovation I introduced was leveraging Copilot. Previously, I spent hours responding to data requests. Now, with all our data in one place, I’m working on developing prompt engineering techniques to create reusable prompts that can quickly address frequent, minor data requests.
Since we collect data disaggregated by gender, this enhanced efficiency allows us to analyse our work in real-time, providing the ability to identify and address gender gaps as they emerge. Furthermore, this quick turnaround enhances productivity, freeing up time for more creative problem-solving and fostering a shift from intuition-based to data-driven decision-making.
Hedi Kamala, Programme Policy Officer, WFP Iraq
As a programme policy officer at WFP, I transform vulnerable communities through entrepreneurship programmes. I design support systems for small enterprises, providing specialized training, consultations and mentorship that equips entrepreneurs — especially women — with success tools. I tailor solutions to community-specific needs and contexts. My Training-of-Trainers programmes create a multiplier effect extending our reach. Through initiatives like SheCan, entrepreneurial bootcamps, and women economic empowerment, we address food security while creating pathways for women’s financial independence, improving both household and economic resilience.
Cristina Amezcua Martinez, Innovation Scaling Programme Lead, WFP Innovation Accelerator
In line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger, my work focuses on supporting innovations that disrupt hunger and promote women’s empowerment. Empowering women is key to ensuring nutritious food reaches vulnerable populations in a sustainable way. One such innovation is Nilus, a technology company that connects smallholder farmers and local retailers with vulnerable communities. They collaborate with women leaders who promote practices like group buying to reduce prices and facilitate access to food. This active participation by women promotes transparency and fairness, accelerating progress towards women’s empowerment, food security and fostering future-proof communities.
Noorina, Business Support Assistant, WFP Innovation Accelerator
I deliver essential administrative and operational support to maintain the smooth and efficient functioning of both the team and projects at the WFP Innovation Accelerator. I maintain operational support for the WFP Innovation Accelerator through procurement, logistics management and process optimization, which allows it to focus on sourcing, piloting and scaling innovations. While working behind the scenes I enable the WFP Innovation Accelerator teams to function effectively which leads to timely project execution that supports food security and empowers women and girls to contribute to a world with zero hunger.
What’s your vision for the future of women-led innovation in the fight against hunger?
Hayfaa Berima, Regional Bureau for Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe, Field Office
I envision a future where women are leading groundbreaking technological solutions to combat hunger — leveraging data and digital transformation to create scalable, efficient and people-centered humanitarian systems. Women’s leadership in technology, digital financial inclusion, supply chain management and food security innovations is essential to ensuring no one is left behind.
Lea Petra Magalie Knust, Programme Policy Officer, WFP Afghanistan
I envision a future where women are at the forefront of innovation in the fight against hunger — leading solutions, shaping policies and driving impactful change. Women bring unique perspectives and creativity to the table, often identifying gaps and solutions that might otherwise be overlooked.
Women are already at the heart of food security. Even in households where men are the official head, it is often the women who manage the daily food consumption of the household. That is why women-led innovation is not just important, but needed. Our female colleagues, especially those working with us in our country offices, field offices and area offices, have a deep understanding of cultural dynamics and household needs, making their insights invaluable to designing effective programmes. These will bring impactful innovations with long lasting effects on the people we serve.
Hedi Kamala, Programme Policy Officer, WFP Iraq
I envision a future where women transform food security through their experiences and resilience. Having faced hunger and resource scarcity firsthand, women entrepreneurs develop solutions that address real needs because they intimately understand the challenges. When a woman starts her own business, she doesn’t just improve her family’s situation, she becomes a powerful role model who inspires daughters, sisters and neighbours to envision new possibilities for themselves.
Cristina Amezcua Martinez, Innovation Scaling Programme Lead, WFP Innovation Accelerator
I envision a future where women-led innovations drive the fight against hunger through collaboration and shared values. By working together and leveraging diverse technologies and strategies, women can amplify each other’s efforts and create sustainable solutions. This collective approach will ensure that individual projects can scale effectively, fostering a world where all relevant innovations thrive and contribute to ending hunger.
Noorina, Business Support Assistant, WFP Innovation Accelerator
The future should be one where women-driven innovations become the standard for creating transformative solutions that tackle hunger. Funding opportunities and spaces for women innovators will unlock groundbreaking ideas that yield sustainable impacts driven by community need. The achievement of zero hunger becomes possible when women participate as equal partners in designing solutions.
Johanna Piaton de Turkheim, Regional Environmental Officer, Regional Bureau for Western Africa
Mentorship, community engagement and guidance from agencies that understand the nuances of innovation are critical to the success of women-led initiatives. When women are supported, both personally and professionally, their impact grows exponentially, and the visibility of their work can lead to broader systemic change.
Vivian, Programme Assistant and Data Analyst, Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa
My vision for women-led innovation in the fight against hunger is that it continues to advance, becoming both accessible and dynamic, evolving in response to the changing needs of users and emerging challenges. Women-led solutions should be recognized as essential. The contributions of women must be acknowledged as critical to creating sustainable, effective responses to hunger.
What inspired you to work in this space?
Lea Petra Magalie Knust, Programme Policy Officer, WFP Afghanistan
The strength and resilience of the Afghan people.
Every day, I am moved by the perseverance, courage and determination of communities facing unimaginable hardships. Their ability to adapt, rebuild and push forward despite the challenges they have faced for decades is what drives me to continue this work. This resilience is a powerful reminder of why humanitarian efforts matter — because even in the face of adversity, people find ways to survive, support one another within their communities and create hope and strength for the future. Witnessing their strength inspires me to remain committed to the humanitarian sphere, ensuring that support at the end reaches those who need it most.
Hedi Kamala, Programme Policy Officer, WFP Iraq
Iraq faces numerous challenges that require innovative solutions. I believe entrepreneurship is the key to addressing these problems effectively. Through my work, I’ve seen how small businesses and community-driven initiatives can transform lives and create sustainable change. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and providing people with the right tools and support, we can help Iraqis develop solutions tailored to their specific contexts. What drives me is seeing the direct impact of my work — when individuals start businesses that not only improve their own economic situation but also solve community problems.
Cristina Amezcua Martinez, Innovation Scaling Programme Lead, WFP Innovation Accelerator
Growing up, I witnessed how access to knowledge and basic needs, such as food, could transform lives in underserved communities. Volunteering with non-profits focused on human rights and children’s welfare exposed me to the challenges faced by vulnerable populations and highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in creating sustainable solutions. Transitioning to the private sector, I saw how corporations could support these communities by sharing resources and expertise, not just through financial growth.
These diverse experiences taught me that impactful change can come from any sector. The key is a strong belief in the power of collaboration and innovation.
Noorina, Business Support Assistant, WFP Innovation Accelerator
The transformative potential of innovation to effect sustainable improvements in people’s lives inspired me particularly through work in communities struggling with hunger. The way collaborative solutions provide power to vulnerable groups including women and children inspired me to join this mission. The opportunity to contribute to a world with zero hunger continues to drive my work every day.
Vivian, Programme Assistant and Data Analyst, Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa
My primary inspiration comes from the transformative power of technology in the humanitarian sector. With experience across industries like healthcare, agriculture, education and energy, I’ve witnessed firsthand how technology can drive impactful change. I’m a strong believer that artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense potential, offering possibilities beyond what we’ve imagined. I have ideas on how AI can be harnessed in the humanitarian space to enable real-time responses, allowing us to take proactive measures before a disaster strikes and ultimately work toward achieving zero hunger.
Hayfaa Berima, Regional Bureau for Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe, Field Office
My inspiration to promote the use of innovative digital solutions, identity management and assurance within humanitarian assistance comes from a deep belief that technology has the power to transform lives, especially in crisis-affected communities. From an early stage in my career, I saw how digital solutions could enhance the efficiency and transparency of humanitarian aid, ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most.
The WFP Innovation Accelerator sources, supports and scales high-potential solutions to end hunger worldwide. We provide WFP colleagues, entrepreneurs, start-ups, companies, and non-governmental organizations with access to funding, mentorship, hands-on support, and WFP’s global operations.
Find out more about us: http://innovation.wfp.org.
Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and watch our videos on YouTube.
