Gender inequality weakens nutrition programmes for Indian women

Source: The post Gender inequality weakens nutrition programmes for Indian women has been created, based on the article “The ingredient to turn around nutrition outcomes” published in “The Hindu” on 17 May 2025. Gender inequality weakens nutrition programmes for Indian women

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-food security

Context: Despite India’s free foodgrain programme and the launch of POSHAN Abhiyaan, hunger and malnutrition persist—especially among women and girls. Gendered inequalities, cultural norms, and lack of financial empowerment limit the impact of nutrition schemes, making malnutrition a broader issue of social justice.

Persistent Gender Gaps in Nutrition

1. Worsening Health Indicators: According to NFHS-5, 57% of women aged 15–49 are anaemic, compared to 26% of men. Nearly 19% of women are underweight. These figures show that women are disproportionately affected by malnutrition.
2. Underutilised Budget: In 2022–23, nearly ₹24,000 crore was allocated for Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0, but only 69% was used by December 2022. Despite the spending, anaemia among women rose from 53% to 57% between NFHS rounds.
3. Cultural and Household Barriers: In many households, women eat least and last, especially when food is scarce. Cultural norms ensure their needs are neglected, particularly in poor families.
4. Nutrition as a Social Justice Concern: Malnutrition is linked to gender inequality. About 49% of women lack control over how their earnings are spent. This dependence weakens their ability to ensure proper nutrition.

Empowerment and Nutritional Outcomes

1. Impact of Financial Control: Studies, including by Esther Duflo, show that women who control income spend more on food and child welfare. Empowerment improves nutrition outcomes.
2. Field Observations: Women with even modest incomes or control over household spending were less likely to be undernourished, as observed in studies from low-income communities.
3. Trends in Female Employment: Female labour force participation rose from 23% in 2017–18 to 33% in 2021–22. However, most women work in insecure, low-paying jobs.
4. Income Disparity and Job Insecurity: Only 5% of working women have regular salaried jobs. Around 20% are self-employed, mostly in informal sectors, earning 53% less than men. Economic vulnerability limits their nutritional choices.

Limitations of Existing Nutrition Programmes

1. Limited Impact of POSHAN: POSHAN is the largest nutrition mission, but its effect on reducing undernutrition remains weak. The issue lies in unequal access, not just policy design.
2. Awareness is Not Enough: While the programme has improved awareness, knowledge alone cannot help if women lack resources or control to act on it.
3. Women as Key Agents: Women are often treated as passive recipients. For real progress, they must be active drivers of health and nutrition within families and communities.

 Way Forward

1. Aligning Nutrition with Livelihood: POSHAN 2.0 should include clear targets to raise women’s income and decision-making power alongside reducing malnutrition.
2. Interdepartmental Coordination: Nutrition, health, and livelihood schemes must work together, especially in high-malnutrition districts, for greater effectiveness.
3. Anganwadis as Empowerment Hubs: Anganwadi centres should go beyond food distribution. They should offer skills training, job links, and financial education for women.

Question for practice:

Examine how gender inequality and financial disempowerment affect the effectiveness of nutrition programmes in India.