One out of three households in Kakamega County, Kenya, is food insecure.

“There is a belief in some communities that women cannot own land and do not have authority over what crops should be grown on it and the fact that few young people do not see a future for themselves in agriculture,” said Mary Shimwenyi, leader of a local organization called Shimashiki that advocates for women's land ownership rights and youth empowerment, aims to change these perceptions.

With training from USAID Advancing Nutrition, Mary is now a nutrition champion, also known as a sector-wise nutrition champion, in the agriculture and livestock sector. Partnering with the county government and local community-based organizations (CBOs) like Shimashiki, USAID Advancing Nutrition has trained 61 nutrition champions who raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and participate in integrated county activities that enhance household food security. Even the former and current First Ladies of Kakamega County, Priscilla Oparanya and Prof. Janet Barasa, have joined in the action and signed up to become champions.