[Answered] “Financial empowerment of women is a crucial ingredient for significantly improving nutrition outcomes in India.” Analyze this statement, elucidating how women’s financial autonomy can positively impact household nutritional status and outreach in India. Discuss the socio-economic pathways through which this empowerment translates into better nutritional outcomes, and identify any associated challenges.

Introduction

India’s battle against malnutrition remains ongoing despite economic growth and large-scale welfare schemes. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reveals that 57% of Indian women (15–49 years) are anaemic and nearly one in five women is underweight, highlighting persistent nutritional deprivation. One of the most overlooked factors in addressing this issue is women’s financial empowerment, which has a profound impact on improving nutritional outcomes at both individual and household levels.

Link between Financial Empowerment and Nutrition

Studies have consistently shown that women with financial autonomy are more likely to allocate resources towards food, healthcare, and children’s well-being. Nobel laureate Esther Duflo’s research supports this, showing that increased income in the hands of women leads to better nutrition for families.

1. Household prioritisation: In many households, cultural norms ensure women eat last and least. Economic dependence further disempowers them from asserting their nutritional needs.
2. Spending behavior: Women tend to prioritise food security, education, and healthcare over other expenditures, especially when managing household budgets.
3. Better child outcomes: Mothers with access to independent income show higher rates of child immunisation, school enrolment, and balanced diets for children.

Socio-Economic Pathways to Better Nutrition

1. Increased Bargaining Power: Financial independence enhances women’s say in household decisions, including diet, healthcare, and child nutrition.
2. Access to Nutritional Choices: When women earn, they can make informed choices on diverse and balanced meals rather than relying solely on subsidised grains.
3. Improved Access to Services: Financial empowerment enables women to access private health facilities, buy supplements, or afford transportation to health centres.
4. Engagement with Welfare Programs: Empowered women are more likely to actively participate in schemes like POSHAN Abhiyaan, Janani Suraksha Yojana, or Self Help Groups (SHGs).
5. Utilising Anganwadis Holistically: With financial literacy and livelihood linkages, Anganwadi centres can become hubs for nutrition, health, and income enhancement.

Challenges to Realising Full Potential

1. Low Quality of Employment: While female labour force participation rose to 33% in 2021-22, only 5% of women hold regular salaried jobs. Most are in low-paid, insecure informal sectors.
2. Gender Wage Gap: Self-employed women earn 53% less than men in similar work, limiting their financial autonomy.
3. Lack of Control Over Earnings: NFHS-5 reports that 49% of women lack decision-making power over their own income.
4. Cultural and Social Barriers: Deep-rooted patriarchy continues to limit women’s ability to assert their nutritional and financial rights.
5. Underutilisation of Schemes: Despite high budget allocations (e.g., ₹24,000 crore for POSHAN 2.0 in 2022-23), only 69% was utilised, reflecting gaps in execution and convergence.

Way Forward

1. Integrate Livelihood and Nutrition Schemes: POSHAN 2.0 must work alongside skill development, micro-credit, and self-employment programmes.
2. Measurable Empowerment Metrics: Track progress not only in anaemia or stunting rates but also in women’s income levels and financial autonomy.
3. Leverage Anganwadis: Use them as one-stop centres for nutrition, employment linkages, and financial literacy.

Conclusion

Nutrition is not merely a biological or economic challenge—it is fundamentally a question of social justice and gender equity. Financial empowerment of women is a transformative pathway to achieving nutrition security in India. Unless women are seen as agents of change, not just recipients of aid, India’s goal of a malnutrition-free future will remain elusive.