A common misconception is that enough food on the plate means adequate nutrition. In recent times, the quality of food has become a topic of discussion, all of which goes to show that in India, women and children are the most nutritionally vulnerable. This is evident from the prevalence of malnutrition among women and adolescents.
One of the causes of malnutrition is micronutrient deficiency, a critically low intake of micronutrients such as iron, folic acid and zinc. Micronutrient malnutrition can have multiple causes, including gender disparity, which is exacerbated by social, economic, and political factors.
Cultural factors include gender norms that result in low intake of nutritious food by women. Add to this a patriarchal society that results in the unfair distribution of food, leading to women eating last and least. The pandemic has led to an increase in the amount of unpaid work in the form of childcare and housework, causing women to neglect self-care.
Economic factors include the challenges women face in terms of access to food. Despite being the primary caregivers, women often lack financial independence or an equal voice in spending decisions. Dr Rajan Sankar, Managing Director and CEO of Partnerships for Nutrition, says: “Women are often the last to benefit in a household when things are going well and the first to be sacrificed when things are bad. Attention and addressing the gender bias in women’s nutrition is essential to break the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition”.
In the case of pregnant women, the diet should include fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and dairy products. Increased financial dependency means there is no guarantee that your nutritional needs will be met. Women are also hampered by a lack of access to public infrastructure and health services. This is the reason why women require more support from the government in the form of flexible working hours and childcare for working mothers. They also need women-oriented health services, such as prenatal health care. Initiatives aimed at addressing women’s social, cultural and economic challenges will go a long way towards ensuring food security both at home and nationally. There are several solutions that can be explored and expanded.
Community engagement with gram pradhans (village chiefs) and local leaders could encourage more equitable social practices that ensure that women do not end up eating the minimum. Improving women’s membership in credit and service cooperatives could promote greater financial independence for women in the rural sector. In Andhra Pradesh, for example, around 7,500 women farmers farm collectively in groups of 25 to 30 each, on approximately 425 hectares of dry land in 250 villages.
Dr. Sheila Vir, director of the Center for Public Health Nutrition and Development, says: “For a well-nourished future generation, we must invest in the underlying causes to break the life cycle of malnutrition. In addition to ensuring diversified food and nutrient intake and access to appropriate health services, it is necessary to prevent adolescent marriage and conception, ensure that girls complete secondary education, that women are economically empowered and equipped to take decisions about your care and that of your family. Both direct and indirect interventions to improve women’s nutrition need to be high on the development agenda.”
Policymakers must make concerted efforts to increase women’s access to public health infrastructure, promote awareness and sensitize all stakeholders about the vital role nutrition plays in the lives of women and future generations. .
The opinions expressed are personal.
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