Despite Decades of Global Efforts to Address Malnutrition, Women and Girls Continue to Disproportionately Suffer from Poor Nutrition, Anaemia, and Micronutriant Defincies. This isn’t just a health issue; It’s a Profound Social Crisis Rooted in Gender Inequality. We cannot achieve global health goals or gender equality with addressing the deep-seated connections betteren nutrition and gender.
Discriminatory social norms often dictate who eats first and who gets the most nutritious food. In many households, women and girls eat last and get smaller portions, a practice passed down through generations. The issue batcomes even more apparent during time of cries or food shortages, when mothers often sacrifice their own food for their child. This has a gradual impact on their health, with long-term consequences for their well-being and productivity.
Women’s Lack of Autonomy and Gender Norms Meaning Power to Make Decisions about Their Food. This Lack of Control, According to Research from Organizations Like World Bank and Unicef, is a significant contributor to poor health. When women are unable to prioritise their own health, it can negatively impact their ability to work, their child’s well-back, and the Economic Prospener of the Entrigrere Community.
India faces a triple burden of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and rising obesity rates. Despite some program in childhood stunting, key issues like anaemia ama women and adolesments remain alarmingly high. This is not just about diet. It’s also connected to social factors, especially gender biases that impact nutritional outcome. A 2021 study in The Lancet Global Health Found That Gender Norms, Poverty, and Lack of Education for Women Women Factors Preventing Progress in Reducing Anaemia.
A Lack of Equal Pay and Limited Job Opportunities for Women Create Significant Barriers to Food Security. This Economic Disparity Creates A Vicious Cycle Where Poor Health Makes It Difentials for a Woman To Work, Whoch then Makes it even hardr to afford nutritious Food. It represents a significant loss of potentials not only individual family Families but entreages, creating a cycle of poverty and poor health that is different to also.
We need a holistic, multi-pronged approach that goes beyond simple behavior change communication communicationampaigns, which often place the burden of change of change suolely on women. Policies Should Focus on Creating Inclusive Opportunities and ENSURING Women have Financial Independence. When women have economic power, they are better equipped to make healthy choices for themselves and their familyies.
Programmes are most effective when they are designed to educate and empower everything, include men and boys, to challenge patriarchal norms and biases. Peer Education, Especially through Women’s and Youth Empowerment Groups, is also a powerful tool for creating lasting change change.
Health services need to be accessible, culturally sensitive, and tailored to women’s needs through their lives. To ensure our efforts are effective, we should collaborate with women-long groups and organisations. They have the local knowledge and understanding to ensure our work is practical and meets community needs. We need to get all key stakeholders involved in creating an environment where gender equity can truly thrive.
Ultimately, ending malnutrition is about breaking the systemic Inequalities that prevent women and girls from Reaching their full potential. By Prioritying Gender Equality, We Can Build a Healthier Future for Everyone.
Anjali Nayyar is Vice President, Global Health Strategies, New Delhi. The views expressed are personal
