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Women in rural India register dramatic gains in nutrition, food security

Research by Grameen Foundation and Freedom from Hunger India Trust reveals promising approaches to combat anemia, improve maternal and infant health

JAIPUR, INDIA, June 28, 2017 -- New research and project results from the Rajasthan Nutrition Project show dramatic improvement in the food security, nutrition, and health practices of women, girls and infants.  In just two years time, the percentage of female heads of households reporting that they are food secure increased from 21 to 53 percent, with similar increases for their children.

Anna

Anna Rana is passionate about health.

She's a familiar sight to neighbors, sharing messages about cooking and eating healthy food and getting regular medical check-ups.

When a woman in her neighborhood fell ill while her husband was away, Anna immediately took her to the hospital for care. Before, even Anna herself might have waited for the woman's husband to return before seeking care. Now, she understands the risks of waiting.

Rajasthan Nutrition Project Policy Brief

The Rajasthan Nutrition Project Policy Brief, from Freedom from Hunger India Trust, highlights priority actions to improve the health of women, children, and adolescent girls, based on a two-year long intensive engagement with the tribal communities in Rajasthan, India. The Rajasthan Nutrition Project (RNP) approach has brought positive changes in the lives of nearly 30,000 people, through working with 8,100 members of women’s self-help groups.

Rajasthan Nutrition Project Technical Resource Guide

The Rajasthan Nutrition Project Technical Resource Guide, from Freedom from Hunger India Trust, outlines ten steps for implementing multi-sectoral interventions on nutrition. It provides an overview, critical actions, best practices, resources and tools. It draws on the experiences of the tribal women and communities and of implementing partners PRADAN & Vaagdhara, and resource partner, CHETNA.

Research Brief: Prevent Anemia for Better Health

The Research Brief: Prevent Anemia for Better Health describes the approach and results of the Maa aur Shishu Swasthya (Mother and Child Health) Program in West Bengal and Jharkhand, where anemia rates among women and children have remain unchanged for the past decade. The program reached 178,000 women through microfinance and self-help groups, prompting members to make changes to their family’s diets and to take other protective measures.

 

Factors Associated with Food Insecurity among Women and Children in Rural Rajasthan

Food insecurity remains a significant problem in India, especially among women and children. This paper by Freedom from Hunger (now a part of Grameen Foundation) measures food security and describe associated factors in rural Rajasthan, India. The findings suggest that actions for improving food security may include facilitating saving for food needs, improving decision-making power among women, and increasing ties to organizations that cater to child development needs. 

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