Esther Lupafya is a seasoned development practitioner, nurse, farmer, and researcher with over
three decades of experience in community health, gender equity, and agroecology. She is the Executive Director and co-founder of Soils, Food and Healthy Communities (SFHC) in Malawi, an organisation renowned for its participatory, farmer-led approach to sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and food sovereignty. With a Master’s degree in Social Development and Health from Queen Margaret University in Scotland, Esther has been instrumental in integrating agroecological practices into smallholder farming systems, while also addressing critical issues such as HIV/AIDS and Maternal and Child Health services, including child malnutrition through community-centered health initiatives.

Her work is rooted in empowering women and strengthening community resilience through gender-responsive programs, participatory research, and education. Esther has co-authored several research publications that explore the intersections of agriculture, health, and gender, and hascontributed significantly to knowledge on time use, care work, and intra-household dynamics. She has served on various boards, including the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi and Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) in Canada, reflecting her leadership at both national and international levels.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to rural development and women’s empowerment, Esther was awarded the Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF) Prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life on 15th October 2023. She brings a wealth of experience and a grounded, people-centered perspective that aligns strongly with SKI’s values of food sovereignty, indigenous knowledge, and inclusive development.