Celebrate Women, Celebrate Nation

As the country celebrates women’s month this March, we also take time to revel how empowered women contribute to better nutrition not just for herself, but for the people in her household as well as those in her community.

The National Nutrition Council recognizes the importance of investing in women for a better community. This can be done in two ways: first to invest in women’s health and nutrition is also an investment towards a better life for the future generation and second, women empowerment for food security and child rearing ensures that the family is well taken cared for.

Sadly, society are caught unaware of the importance of investing in women for better nutrition as many of households would prioritize food for breadwinners and children. And although it is in women’s nature to take care of their children, many do not have the foundation to properly do so.

According to the 2015 National Nutrition Survey, 27% of pregnant women in Central Visayas are nutritionally at-risk which implies dire consequences to their children. Women deficient in calories and nutrient are more likely to bear malnourished children who will then have a hard time catching up. A malnourished woman might also be physically and mentally unable to care for her family well. This will result to a plethora of effects in both the family and the community’s health and economic status.

On the other hand, as women are mostly in-charge of planning and preparing for the family’s meals, it is of outmost importance that they make nutritious food choices. In many barangays in the region, mothers’ classes and other nutrition education activities (Read more about good nutrition education practices here) are conducted to make sure that these mothers know what to prepare and how to prepare them.

However, these mothers are often faced with difficulty in budgeting family income hence, food quality is usually sacrificed. It is thus important to provide women with means by which they can put food in their table either by providing them with knowledge and skills in home gardening or providing them with a means to increase their capacity to buy food thru livelihood and other income generating activities. In that way, women are given power to chose and obtain the food that they serve for their families.

As we commemorate women’s month, we also celebrate the impact that empowered women have to their family nutrition. This is a reminder that #WomenMakeChange.

Tune in to this month’s articles to know more about women’s nutrition. (NGS)