Archive · 19 May 2025
India's Fight Against Malnutrition: Women's Economic Empowerment
Imagine India is trying to make sure everyone has enough healthy food.
But many women and girls are still not getting enough nutrients.
Even though the government spends a lot of money on programs, the problem continues.
This is because women often don't have control over their money or what they eat.
If women earn more money and can make their own choices, they are more likely to eat well and make sure their families do too.
Giving women better jobs, with good pay and training, can make a big difference, and will help everyone in the long run.
India's fight against malnutrition, especially among women, faces challenges despite economic progress.
Women in India are disproportionately affected by malnutrition, with higher rates of anemia and being underweight.
POSHAN Abhiyaan, a major nutrition program, hasn't significantly improved women's nutritional status despite funding.
Women's lack of economic independence and decision-making power hinders their ability to prioritize their nutrition.
Empowering women through secure jobs, skills training, and equal pay is crucial for improving nutrition outcomes.
- Who
- Women and girls in India.
- What
- Malnutrition in India, particularly among women, persists despite government programs and economic growth.
- When
- The article discusses current conditions, referencing data from 2017-2022.
- Where
- India
- Why
- Due to a combination of factors including women's lack of economic independence, cultural norms, and limited access to nutritious food.
Women's Advocates
Government's perspective
Approach to addressing malnutrition
Women's Advocates
Advocates emphasize the importance of women's economic and social empowerment for improving nutritional outcomes and call for schemes that improve women's economic independence and decision-making power.
Government's perspective
The government focuses on nutrition programs. POSHAN Abhiyaan and other government initiatives primarily focus on direct nutritional interventions and increasing awareness.
- Main focus
- Malnutrition among women in India
- POSHAN Abhiyaan budget (2022-23)
- Nearly ₹24,000 crore
- Percentage of women with anemia (NFHS-5)
- 57%
- Female labor force participation (2021-22)
- Approximately 33%
- Women in regular salaried jobs (2021-22)
- 5%
- Income difference of self-employed women vs men
- 53% less