1st Filipina gets 'Rising Star' Award for advocating food security

MANILA – Robyn Mijares received this year's Women's International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Rising Star award for her advocacy on food security.

The 23-year-old founder and executive director of Youth Uprising, a non-profit organization that provides free accessible environmental and agricultural education to marginalized Filipino youth in public schools, is the first Filipino to win the prestigious award.

The WIN DRR Rising Star winners were announced during the 10th Session of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Oct. 16.

In her acceptance speech, Mijares called on the Filipino youth to ignite change.

"Each story we've shared is not just a testament to resilience, it's a call to action," she said.

The award was part of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction's (UNDRR) flagship women's leadership initiative promoting and supporting women's leadership in disaster risk reduction across the Asia-Pacific region.

The Rising Star Award is awarded to an individual woman who has established capability early in her career.

Mijares was recognized for her "Oh My, Garden: Grow Your Own Food Contest" initiative as the world battled the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic that threatened food security.

The project demonstrated the power of grassroots movements in addressing global challenges.

Her initiative, according to the UNDRR, enabled students to grow their food, addressing both immediate hunger and long-term food security.

To date, Mijares has impacted more than 98,000 public school students in Las Piñas City.

"Robyn's efforts have not only provided immediate relief but also laid the groundwork for long-term community resilience. Her work with Grow School and the 'Oh My, GARDEN' project has empowered marginalized youth and their families to become self-sufficient food producers, significantly enhancing their resilience to future disasters," the UNDRR said.

Mijares' work has been recognized internationally as she was selected as a Fellow in the Youth Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, expanding her project to Lao PDR, Thailand, and Indonesia. (PNA)