IFPRI- Food Security of Women in Tribal Rajasthan- Manisha Kabra

Editor's Notes

1. Gender dynamics has particularly influenced food and household food security transforming gender as social construct beyond the biological dimension. Research has demonstrated the close correlation between high levels of gender inequality and food insecurity, malnutrition and other nutritional deficiencies. At least 60% of malnourished people globally are women and girls experiencing the impact of persisting inter- and intra –generational and intra household food insecurity. “India Enigma”, describes the paradox existence where improvements in Stunting and under nutrition have not kept pace with economic growth encompassing actually higher rate of malnutrition than some locations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
2. In Rajasthan, 50% of women and adolescent girls suffer from Anemia, 36% children below 5 years are stunted and girls are more stunted(31%) then boys(27%) leading to poor gender empowerment index of 0.4 below national average of 0.5 on a scale of 0-1 depicting poor woman’s empowerment status. Stunting is the highest among children of tribal region (54%)compared to children of non-tribal region (45%), clearly indicating gender discrimination in intra- household feeding patterns.
3. In Rajasthan Freedom from Hunger India trust, together with it’s Implementing NGOs, VAAGDHARA and PRADAN are currently collaborating to improve household nutrition through integration of agriculture, nutrition, financial services and Gender in two tribal districts namely –Banswara and Sirohi respectively, under the aegis of the project, “Empowering Poor marginalized women in Rajasthan for Gender-Equitable Household Nutrition” also known as Rajasthan Nutrition project. The paper as being presented to the forum seeks to Explore the relationship between household food security and gender among tribal communities in Rajasthan utilizing data from baseline assessment, conducted in May –June 2015 with 403 women belonging to Self help groups in the selected districts. Discuss the implications for practices and policies that target a more gender transformative food secure world.
4. May –June 2015 403 women in self-help groups Simple random sample among mothers with children ages 0-2; pregnant women (20%) Data collection: consultants from IHMR University Jaipur. Data analysis: Brigham Young University, USA & IHMR University
5. : Progress out of Poverty Index progress out of poverty Index scorecard developed by the Grameen foundation. The International Poverty line (IPL)$1.25/day, IPL$ 2.50/day and National Tendulkar indices were constructed using values of India progress out of poverty index. 2). Food security was measured on the basis of four point food security scale of Freedom From hunger ,classifying food secure, food insecure without hunger, food insecure with moderate hunger and food insecure with severe hunger. Food security for children was also assessed based on the same scale. 3.)Health and nutrition status of the women and household was assessed using a set of health indicators, coping strategies index, dietary diversity index, nutrition, sanitation and safe water, curative care, household decision making , Utilization of ICDS services and breastfeeding/Infant feeding. C
6. 61% women reported using ICDS benefit in the prior 12 months (, mainly immunization and supplementary foods. Least services utilized were breastfeeding education and support. Breastfeeding–47 % were breastfed in the first hour and 28% were exclusively breastfed for six months and 66% were also given something else beside smother’s milk. Gender- In this baseline study, women appear to have the most decision making power (41%), to decide about serving food.The decisions were found to be taken by husband/ male members Food purchases, medical treatment, and travel
7. Gender, particularly intra-household dynamics such as decision-making power of women, their autonomy, communication and their relationship with their spouse, matters for food security as well as for important health and nutrition behaviors such as accessing ICDS services and for initial and exclusive breastfeeding.
8. Gender, particularly intra-household dynamics such as decision-making power of women, their autonomy, communication and their relationship with their spouse, matters for food security as well as for important health and nutrition behaviors such as accessing ICDS services and for initial and exclusive breastfeeding.
9. Gender, particularly intra-household dynamics such as decision-making power of women, their autonomy, communication and their relationship with their spouse, matters for food security as well as for important health and nutrition behaviors such as accessing ICDS services and for initial and exclusive breastfeeding.
10. Gender, particularly intra-household dynamics such as decision-making power of women, their autonomy, communication and their relationship with their spouse, matters for food security as well as for important health and nutrition behaviors such as accessing ICDS services and for initial and exclusive breastfeeding.