Quaker, one of India’s leading players in the oats segment, stands for nutrition. The brand, through its ‘Bowl of Growth’ initiative, addresses the cause of child malnutrition through three key pillars — providing nutrition to children aged 3 to 5 years, educating parents/caregivers and spreading awareness in the community. This special nutrition-focused programme was launched in pre-identified blocks of rural areas in Pune, Maharashtra to address the issue of malnutrition.

To strengthen the pillar on community awareness further, the brand launched its first long-format ad film, ‘Dohale Jevan Poshanchi Vaati’. The emotionally evocative narrative not only supplements the nutritional needs required to address child nutrition but also weaves in elements of ethnicity and culture to forge a profound connection with the audiences.

In her remarks on the launch, Sravani Babu, Associate Director, and Category Lead - Quaker, PepsiCo India, said, "Quaker's endeavour to fight against malnutrition started last year when we launched Quaker Bowl of Growth Programme in Pune. We have embedded cultural elements from the very start, whether in the form of panjiri, the food served at anganwadis to the children or driving awareness through an age-old ritual, to echo with the community. This film is yet another leg of spreading awareness, delving into the importance of nutrition through the lens of a child concerned about his yet-to-be born sibling's wellbeing."

Vikram Pandey (Spiky), National Creative Director Leo Burnett India underscored, "Quaker is one of those few brands that don't just talk about brand purpose, but also walk the talk. Quaker Bowl of Growth is a fantastic programme and needed a heart-warming story to capture its importance. We found that in the cultural ritual of ‘Dohale Jevan’, our film depicts the importance of nutrition, through the eyes of a child who is struggling with it himself and is worried for his yet-to-be-born sibling."

Central to the film’s narrative is the tradition of Dohale Jevan, a revered Marathi baby shower held during the seventh-ninth month of pregnancy. Through this cultural nuance, the film poignantly highlights the significance of nutrition in a child's life, underscoring Quaker's commitment to 'Poshan right, toh future bright' (future is bright, when nutrition is right). It nudges the community to consider nutrition as an important aspect of a child’s growth.&nbsp;

Quaker, in collaboration with PepsiCo Foundation, and in partnership with NGO MAMTA HIMC, addresses the needs of children in the state of Maharashtra through nutrition, education, and awareness.

As part of the ‘Positive Choices’ pillar under PepsiCo Positive (pep+) - a strategic end-to-end transformation towards sustainability—PepsiCo is committed to increase nutritious food access for 50 million people by 2030.

<h2>Bowl of Growth</h2>

The interventions under the Bowl of Growth programme are designed with a focus on three key pillars: nutrition, awareness, and education.

Nutrition needs are addressed through 'panjiri', a locally inspired recipe for mildly malnourished children. It is crafted with Quaker Multigrain &amp; Millet, specially designed to be enriched with 18 essential vitamins and minerals, ensuring it is both nutritious and tasty.

Awareness is enhanced through specially curated thematic engagement sessions for children and their parents/caregivers.

Education is advanced through structured workshops, which are conducted daily, exerting a positive influence on the quality of life for both children and their caregivers.

Complementing these efforts, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials in the form of—posters, leaflets, flip-books, and an illustrated comic book have also been introduced.

<h2>About Quaker:</h2>

Quaker Oats was launched in India in 2006. The brand Quaker is over 145 years old and is a world leader in the oatmeal segment. Quaker Oats is a 100 per cent wholegrain and natural source of carbohydrates and dietary fibre. It has a unique soluble fibre called βeta Glucan, which is scientifically proven to help reduce cholesterol (cholesterol is a risk factor for heart diseases). In India, Quaker Oats is also available in variants such as Quaker Plain Oats, Quaker Oats Multigrain, Quaker Instant Oats and Quaker Oats Muesli.

<h2>About PepsiCo:</h2>

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods' portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to 'Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning' with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people.&nbsp;

Disclaimer - The above article is a feature content&nbsp;and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of WION, and WION claims no responsibility whatsoever.

Quaker, one of India’s leading players in the oats segment, stands for nutrition. The brand, through its ‘Bowl of Growth’ initiative, addresses the cause of child malnutrition through three key pillars — providing nutrition to children aged 3 to 5 years, educating parents/caregivers and spreading awareness in the community.

Quaker, one of India’s leading players in the oats segment, stands for nutrition. The brand, through its ‘Bowl of Growth’ initiative, addresses the cause of child malnutrition through three key pillars — providing nutrition to children aged 3 to 5 years, educating parents/caregivers and spreading awareness in the community. This special nutrition-focused programme was launched in pre-identified blocks of rural areas in Pune, Maharashtra to address the issue of malnutrition. To strengthen the pillar on community awareness further, the brand launched its first long-format ad film, ‘Dohale Jevan Poshanchi Vaati’. The emotionally evocative narrative not only supplements the nutritional needs required to address child nutrition but also weaves in elements of ethnicity and culture to forge a profound connection with the audiences. In her remarks on the launch, Sravani Babu, Associate Director, and Category Lead - Quaker, PepsiCo India, said, "Quaker's endeavour to fight against malnutrition started last year when we launched Quaker Bowl of Growth Programme in Pune. We have embedded cultural elements from the very start, whether in the form of panjiri, the food served at anganwadis to the children or driving awareness through an age-old ritual, to echo with the community. This film is yet another leg of spreading awareness, delving into the importance of nutrition through the lens of a child concerned about his yet-to-be born sibling's wellbeing." Vikram Pandey (Spiky), National Creative Director Leo Burnett India underscored, "Quaker is one of those few brands that don't just talk about brand purpose, but also walk the talk. Quaker Bowl of Growth is a fantastic programme and needed a heart-warming story to capture its importance. We found that in the cultural ritual of ‘Dohale Jevan’, our film depicts the importance of nutrition, through the eyes of a child who is struggling with it himself and is worried for his yet-to-be-born sibling." Central to the film’s narrative is the tradition of Dohale Jevan, a revered Marathi baby shower held during the seventh-ninth month of pregnancy. Through this cultural nuance, the film poignantly highlights the significance of nutrition in a child's life, underscoring Quaker's commitment to 'Poshan right, toh future bright' (future is bright, when nutrition is right). It nudges the community to consider nutrition as an important aspect of a child’s growth. Quaker, in collaboration with PepsiCo Foundation, and in partnership with NGO MAMTA HIMC, addresses the needs of children in the state of Maharashtra through nutrition, education, and awareness. As part of the ‘Positive Choices’ pillar under PepsiCo Positive (pep+) - a strategic end-to-end transformation towards sustainability—PepsiCo is committed to increase nutritious food access for 50 million people by 2030. Bowl of Growth The interventions under the Bowl of Growth programme are designed with a focus on three key pillars: nutrition, awareness, and education. Nutrition needs are addressed through 'panjiri', a locally inspired recipe for mildly malnourished children. It is crafted with Quaker Multigrain & Millet, specially designed to be enriched with 18 essential vitamins and minerals, ensuring it is both nutritious and tasty. Awareness is enhanced through specially curated thematic engagement sessions for children and their parents/caregivers. Education is advanced through structured workshops, which are conducted daily, exerting a positive influence on the quality of life for both children and their caregivers. Complementing these efforts, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials in the form of—posters, leaflets, flip-books, and an illustrated comic book have also been introduced. About Quaker: Quaker Oats was launched in India in 2006. The brand Quaker is over 145 years old and is a world leader in the oatmeal segment. Quaker Oats is a 100 per cent wholegrain and natural source of carbohydrates and dietary fibre. It has a unique soluble fibre called βeta Glucan, which is scientifically proven to help reduce cholesterol (cholesterol is a risk factor for heart diseases). In India, Quaker Oats is also available in variants such as Quaker Plain Oats, Quaker Oats Multigrain, Quaker Instant Oats and Quaker Oats Muesli. About PepsiCo: PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods' portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to 'Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning' with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. Disclaimer - The above article is a feature content and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of WION, and WION claims no responsibility whatsoever.

Quaker’s heartfelt ad film strikes a chord, spotlighting nutrition’s crucial role in children’s lives

In a hospital located in northern Gaza, a pediatrician expressed his helplessness in aiding over half of the infants under his care due to severe food shortages.

Dr. Imad Dardonah, a pediatrician at Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, voiced distress over the dire situation faced by infants under his care due to severe food shortages.

He lamented that more than half of the babies brought to the hospital cannot be adequately treated due to the lack of essential supplies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-start-airdrops-of-aid-into-gaza-in-days-ahead-biden-695710" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-start-airdrops-of-aid-into-gaza-in-days-ahead-biden-695710&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjmz9yf4tWEAxV6nK8BHdcKDHgQFnoECAAQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3rSXRjvAtt5MP-AyzBXZTa" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-start-airdrops-of-aid-into-gaza-in-days-ahead-biden-695710" target="_blank">US to start airdrops of aid into&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;in days ahead: Biden</a>

In his statement, Dr. Dardonah emphasised the critical role of malnutrition in escalating child mortality rates. He explained that the hospital struggles to manage 50-60 per cent of the cases received, with the only available options being saline or sugar solutions.

During a UN briefing on Friday, a spokesperson reported the tragic deaths of four children at Kamal Adwan hospital overnight, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

The distressing conditions were captured in a video distributed by the World Health Organization (WHO), depicting infants in incubators enduring cramped conditions and intermittent power outages.

According to the WHO's latest report titled 'Nutrition Vulnerability and Situation Analysis - Gaza', malnutrition is particularly severe in the northern enclave. Shockingly, one in six children under the age of two is acutely malnourished, with almost 3 per cent suffering from severe wasting, the most life-threatening form of malnutrition.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-threatens-catastrophe-if-israel-strikes-rafah-688986" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-threatens-catastrophe-if-israel-strikes-rafah-688986&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjG642N49WEAxX-yqACHWPgAmAQFnoECAQQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw16AfQowrWeb69vTkD-k1pC" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-threatens-catastrophe-if-israel-strikes-rafah-688986" target="_blank">Saudi Arabia threatens 'catastrophe' if Israel strikes Rafah</a>

Before the onset of hostilities, malnutrition was a rare occurrence in Gaza, with only 0.8 per cent of children under the age of five acutely malnourished, as reported by the WHO.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with at least 576,000 people, constituting a quarter of the population, on the brink of famine, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-aid-deaths-un-chief-says-incident-will-require-independent-probe-695335">Gaza aid deaths: UN chief says incident will require independent probe</a>

In response to the dire situation, Jordan and France have conducted airdrops of aid into Gaza. Additionally, the US announced plans for military airdrops of food and supplies. However, these efforts come amidst tragic incidents, such as the deaths of around 100 Palestinians attempting to reach an aid convoy near Gaza City.

The Israeli offensive, launched in retaliation to an attack by Hamas on Israeli towns, has further exacerbated the crisis. According to Gaza health authorities, over 30,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the offensive.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-jihad-releases-video-showing-gaza-hostage-alive-677929">Israel-Hamas war: Islamic Jihad releases video showing Gaza hostage alive</a>

Dr. Dardonah has made a heartfelt plea for a ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of aid and food supplies into Gaza, emphasising the urgent need to alleviate the suffering of its inhabitants. The ongoing ceasefire talks have not succeeded as Hamas continues to stick to its demands despite claiming heavy civilian casualties and Israel is not relenting.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a hospital located in northern Gaza, a pediatrician expressed his helplessness in aiding over half of the infants under his care due to severe food shortages.

In a hospital located in northern Gaza, a pediatrician expressed his helplessness in aiding over half of the infants under his care due to severe food shortages. Dr. Imad Dardonah, a pediatrician at Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, voiced distress over the dire situation faced by infants under his care due to severe food shortages. He lamented that more than half of the babies brought to the hospital cannot be adequately treated due to the lack of essential supplies. Also read: US to start airdrops of aid into Gaza in days ahead: Biden In his statement, Dr. Dardonah emphasised the critical role of malnutrition in escalating child mortality rates. He explained that the hospital struggles to manage 50-60 per cent of the cases received, with the only available options being saline or sugar solutions. During a UN briefing on Friday, a spokesperson reported the tragic deaths of four children at Kamal Adwan hospital overnight, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The distressing conditions were captured in a video distributed by the World Health Organization (WHO), depicting infants in incubators enduring cramped conditions and intermittent power outages. According to the WHO's latest report titled 'Nutrition Vulnerability and Situation Analysis - Gaza', malnutrition is particularly severe in the northern enclave. Shockingly, one in six children under the age of two is acutely malnourished, with almost 3 per cent suffering from severe wasting, the most life-threatening form of malnutrition. Also read: Saudi Arabia threatens 'catastrophe' if Israel strikes Rafah Before the onset of hostilities, malnutrition was a rare occurrence in Gaza, with only 0.8 per cent of children under the age of five acutely malnourished, as reported by the WHO. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with at least 576,000 people, constituting a quarter of the population, on the brink of famine, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Also read: Gaza aid deaths: UN chief says incident will require independent probe In response to the dire situation, Jordan and France have conducted airdrops of aid into Gaza. Additionally, the US announced plans for military airdrops of food and supplies. However, these efforts come amidst tragic incidents, such as the deaths of around 100 Palestinians attempting to reach an aid convoy near Gaza City. The Israeli offensive, launched in retaliation to an attack by Hamas on Israeli towns, has further exacerbated the crisis. According to Gaza health authorities, over 30,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the offensive. Also read | Israel-Hamas war: Islamic Jihad releases video showing Gaza hostage alive Dr. Dardonah has made a heartfelt plea for a ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of aid and food supplies into Gaza, emphasising the urgent need to alleviate the suffering of its inhabitants. The ongoing ceasefire talks have not succeeded as Hamas continues to stick to its demands despite claiming heavy civilian casualties and Israel is not relenting. (With inputs from agencies)

Doctor warns of serious risks to babies due to malnutrition in Gaza

UNICEF said that nearly 3.2 million children under the age of five in Afghanistan may suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of the year.

The UN body made the assessment after UNICEF's representative in Afghanistan, Hervé Ludovic De Lys, and World Food Programme (WFP) Afghanistan representative and country Director, Mary-Ellen McGroarty, visited Afghanistan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/find-common-ground-pm-johnsons-envoy-meets-taliban-in-afghanistan-418593">Also Read:&nbsp;PM Johnson's envoy meets Taliban in Afghanistan</a>

The officials said at least 1 million children in Afghanistan are at risk of dying "due to severe acute malnutrition without immediate treatment."

In a worrying development, WFP survey had revealed that 95 per cent of households in Afghanistan are not consuming enough food with adults skipping meals so that their children can eat properly.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-faces-winter-blackout-as-taliban-unable-to-pay-electricity-suppliers-report-418292">Also Read:&nbsp;Kabul faces winter blackout as Taliban unable to pay electricity suppliers</a>

McGroarty and De Lys visited Herat and met families in the area as they assessed the food distribution centres.

The UN agencies are currently involved in setting up mobile health units and nutrition teams for children and mothers.

Mary-Ellen McGroarty said Afghans are making "desperate choices" for their families while calling on the international community to release the funds which were pledged earlier.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-remove-uyghur-militants-along-chinas-border-report-418561">Also Read:&nbsp;Taliban remove Uyghur militants along China's border</a>

UN chief Antonio Guterres had also urged the international community to engage with the Taliban to provide a "lifeline" for Afghans even as McGroarty said if it is not done then the&nbsp;"impact could be irreversible".

(With inputs from Agencies)

UNICEF said that nearly 3.2 million children under the age of five in Afghanistan may suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of the year. The UN body made the assessment after UNICEF's representative in Afghanistan, Hervé Ludovic De Lys, and World Food Programme (WFP) Afghanistan representative and country Director, Mary-Ellen McGroarty, visited Afghanistan.

UNICEF said that nearly 3.2 million children under the age of five in Afghanistan may suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of the year. The UN body made the assessment after UNICEF's representative in Afghanistan, Hervé Ludovic De Lys, and World Food Programme (WFP) Afghanistan representative and country Director, Mary-Ellen McGroarty, visited Afghanistan. Also Read: PM Johnson's envoy meets Taliban in Afghanistan The officials said at least 1 million children in Afghanistan are at risk of dying "due to severe acute malnutrition without immediate treatment." In a worrying development, WFP survey had revealed that 95 per cent of households in Afghanistan are not consuming enough food with adults skipping meals so that their children can eat properly. Also Read: Kabul faces winter blackout as Taliban unable to pay electricity suppliers McGroarty and De Lys visited Herat and met families in the area as they assessed the food distribution centres. The UN agencies are currently involved in setting up mobile health units and nutrition teams for children and mothers. Mary-Ellen McGroarty said Afghans are making "desperate choices" for their families while calling on the international community to release the funds which were pledged earlier. Also Read: Taliban remove Uyghur militants along China's border UN chief Antonio Guterres had also urged the international community to engage with the Taliban to provide a "lifeline" for Afghans even as McGroarty said if it is not done then the "impact could be irreversible". (With inputs from Agencies)

1 million Afghan children at risk of dying due to acute malnutrition: UN officials

More than 821 million people suffered from hunger, food insecurity and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-lifted-271-million-people-out-of-poverty-between-2006-and-2016-says-united-nations-report-235245">malnutrition worldwide last year</a>, the United Nations reported on Monday - the third year in a row that the number has risen.

After decades of decline, food insecurity began to increase in 2015 and reversing the trend is one of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-chiefs-call-to-save-the-pacific-to-save-the-world-219655">2030 targets of the UN's</a> Sustainable Development Goals.

But getting to a world where no one is suffering from hunger by then remains an "immense challenge," the report said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World" was produced by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other UN agencies including the World Health Organization. &nbsp;

"To safeguard food security and nutrition, it is critical to already have in place economic and social policies to counteract the effects of adverse economic cycles when they arrive, while avoiding cuts in essential services, such as health care and education, at all costs," it said.

The authors said a "structural transformation" was needed to include the poorest people in the world, a move they said would require "integrating food security and nutrition concerns into poverty reduction efforts" while tackling gender inequality and the exclusion of certain social groups.&nbsp;

Malnutrition remains widespread in Africa, where around 20 per cent of the population is affected, and in Asia where more than 12 of people experience it. In Latin America and the Caribbean, seven percent of people are affected.

Adding the number of people suffering from famine to those hit by food insecurity gives a total of more than two billion.&nbsp;

The FAO said current efforts were insufficient to meet the goal of halving the number of children whose growth is stunted by malnutrition by 2030.

Around 149 million children currently suffer from hunger-related growth delays.&nbsp;

At the same time, the report notes that obesity and excess weight are both on the rise in all regions, with school-age children and adults particularly affected.

More than 821 million people suffered from hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition worldwide last year, the United Nations reported on Monday - the third year in a row that the number has risen.

More than 821 million people suffered from hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition worldwide last year, the United Nations reported on Monday - the third year in a row that the number has risen. After decades of decline, food insecurity began to increase in 2015 and reversing the trend is one of the 2030 targets of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. But getting to a world where no one is suffering from hunger by then remains an "immense challenge," the report said. "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World" was produced by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other UN agencies including the World Health Organization. "To safeguard food security and nutrition, it is critical to already have in place economic and social policies to counteract the effects of adverse economic cycles when they arrive, while avoiding cuts in essential services, such as health care and education, at all costs," it said. The authors said a "structural transformation" was needed to include the poorest people in the world, a move they said would require "integrating food security and nutrition concerns into poverty reduction efforts" while tackling gender inequality and the exclusion of certain social groups. Malnutrition remains widespread in Africa, where around 20 per cent of the population is affected, and in Asia where more than 12 of people experience it. In Latin America and the Caribbean, seven percent of people are affected. Adding the number of people suffering from famine to those hit by food insecurity gives a total of more than two billion. The FAO said current efforts were insufficient to meet the goal of halving the number of children whose growth is stunted by malnutrition by 2030. Around 149 million children currently suffer from hunger-related growth delays. At the same time, the report notes that obesity and excess weight are both on the rise in all regions, with school-age children and adults particularly affected.

Hunger on the rise worldwide as 821 million affected: UN

It took a Supreme Court order to begin the first-ever, much needed, mapping of 9,589 homes, including observation homes, special homes and open shelters across the country.&nbsp;

The Report titled ‘Mapping and Review Exercise of Child Care Institutions’, conducted between December 2015 -March &nbsp;2017, was recently made public by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.&nbsp;

The survey throws light on the functioning of child care institutions (CCIs) in the country in the context of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJA).&nbsp;

The study included orphans, abandoned, sexually abused, victims of child pornography, minors who were trafficked for domestic work or labour, those affected and infected by HIV and AIDS as well as those hit by natural disasters.

A very basic database has now emerged of children living in the CCIs across the country that presents only a selection of the larger number of indicators required for CCIs.

Data gaps need to be filled and concerns addressed. Data on children with special needs is also required.

The successive JJAs brought in many changes, but in several states, besides change in nomenclature, there has been very little else.

Children exposed to institutional care do not receive the type of nurturing and stimulating environment needed for normal growth and healthy psychological development.&nbsp;

According to the report, only 46.7 per cent of the homes had an adequate number of caregivers per child and a dismal 28.7 per cent centres were able to tend to inmates showing signs of hunger or illness.&nbsp;

The report points that the lack of infrastructure facilities is “glaring” and that more than 1,000 homes did not have a dormitory for children.&nbsp;

Data is required regarding the emotional, educational and health needs of children. The children are deprived of opportunities to develop stable and continuous attachment relationships due to the large staff turnover and poor quality of contact with their caregivers.

The staff closest to children must be carefully recruited, screened, mandatory-trained in child rights, kindness and compassion, patience, and attentiveness.

Children are regimented. There is lack of a rights-based approach and no understanding on developing counselling, life skills, training, educational interventions and health support for children. No concept of rehabilitation, reintegration, deinstitutionalization and independent living. No long-term vision for children. The location of homes is based on political considerations, rather than on needs of the children.

Children have the right to participate and freely express their views and there is an obligation to listen to their views. It is important to hear the voices of children in the institutions. Nobody has talked to the children for the report. It is significant that children will only express, in a safe and trustful environment, which is lacking at the moment.&nbsp;

Recent incidents in certain homes across the country have established that sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children is rampant. Children feel powerless, angry, frightened and lonely.&nbsp;

The trauma of abuse lasts for a lifetime if the process of healing does not take place. The process of healing is the responsibility of the management and staff. &nbsp;Unfortunately, in a majority of the homes, there is zero awareness.&nbsp;

The report reveals that 65.9 per cent of homes were able to actively supervise children under trauma. CCIs mandate infrastructure, modernisation and digital technology in the homes.&nbsp;

The grievance redressal system has to be strengthened. Institutions must open up. There must be regular interaction with children by joint teams of government and civil society. Mandatory ongoing child protection training is required for staff and management.&nbsp;

Information is required as to what happens to these children after they leave the institutions. Aftercare in the juvenile justice system is an absolute failure.&nbsp;

Another issue of concern is the child’s right to an identity. &nbsp;Children should be given proper names and identity documents. Not known or NK, should not be mentioned on these documents, as it leads to their stigmatisation.&nbsp;

There is a growing global consensus on the need to promote family-based alternatives to institutional care for children.&nbsp;

A right climate is needed to create cost-effective, sustainable alternatives, including strengthening families and raising public awareness.

More evidence-based data will be a tool to systemic reform and transformation of CCIs. It is imperative and urgent that the Ministry invests resources on this.&nbsp;

There must be a participatory and consultative approach with various stakeholders, including children. When it comes to children in institutions, we must apply the same standards of care that we would to our own children. 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-child-care-institutions-in-india-are-in-dire-need-of-reforms-2708362">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

It took a Supreme Court order to begin the first-ever, much needed, mapping of 9,589 homes, including observation homes, special homes and open shelters across the country.

It took a Supreme Court order to begin the first-ever, much needed, mapping of 9,589 homes, including observation homes, special homes and open shelters across the country. The Report titled ‘Mapping and Review Exercise of Child Care Institutions’, conducted between December 2015 -March 2017, was recently made public by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The survey throws light on the functioning of child care institutions (CCIs) in the country in the context of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJA). The study included orphans, abandoned, sexually abused, victims of child pornography, minors who were trafficked for domestic work or labour, those affected and infected by HIV and AIDS as well as those hit by natural disasters. A very basic database has now emerged of children living in the CCIs across the country that presents only a selection of the larger number of indicators required for CCIs. Data gaps need to be filled and concerns addressed. Data on children with special needs is also required. The successive JJAs brought in many changes, but in several states, besides change in nomenclature, there has been very little else. Children exposed to institutional care do not receive the type of nurturing and stimulating environment needed for normal growth and healthy psychological development. According to the report, only 46.7 per cent of the homes had an adequate number of caregivers per child and a dismal 28.7 per cent centres were able to tend to inmates showing signs of hunger or illness. The report points that the lack of infrastructure facilities is “glaring” and that more than 1,000 homes did not have a dormitory for children. Data is required regarding the emotional, educational and health needs of children. The children are deprived of opportunities to develop stable and continuous attachment relationships due to the large staff turnover and poor quality of contact with their caregivers. The staff closest to children must be carefully recruited, screened, mandatory-trained in child rights, kindness and compassion, patience, and attentiveness. Children are regimented. There is lack of a rights-based approach and no understanding on developing counselling, life skills, training, educational interventions and health support for children. No concept of rehabilitation, reintegration, deinstitutionalization and independent living. No long-term vision for children. The location of homes is based on political considerations, rather than on needs of the children. Children have the right to participate and freely express their views and there is an obligation to listen to their views. It is important to hear the voices of children in the institutions. Nobody has talked to the children for the report. It is significant that children will only express, in a safe and trustful environment, which is lacking at the moment. Recent incidents in certain homes across the country have established that sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children is rampant. Children feel powerless, angry, frightened and lonely. The trauma of abuse lasts for a lifetime if the process of healing does not take place. The process of healing is the responsibility of the management and staff. Unfortunately, in a majority of the homes, there is zero awareness. The report reveals that 65.9 per cent of homes were able to actively supervise children under trauma. CCIs mandate infrastructure, modernisation and digital technology in the homes. The grievance redressal system has to be strengthened. Institutions must open up. There must be regular interaction with children by joint teams of government and civil society. Mandatory ongoing child protection training is required for staff and management. Information is required as to what happens to these children after they leave the institutions. Aftercare in the juvenile justice system is an absolute failure. Another issue of concern is the child’s right to an identity. Children should be given proper names and identity documents. Not known or NK, should not be mentioned on these documents, as it leads to their stigmatisation. There is a growing global consensus on the need to promote family-based alternatives to institutional care for children. A right climate is needed to create cost-effective, sustainable alternatives, including strengthening families and raising public awareness. More evidence-based data will be a tool to systemic reform and transformation of CCIs. It is imperative and urgent that the Ministry invests resources on this. There must be a participatory and consultative approach with various stakeholders, including children. When it comes to children in institutions, we must apply the same standards of care that we would to our own children. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Child care institutions in India are in dire need of reforms

The Niti Aayog’s recent report on ‘Strategy for New India @ 75’ rightly recognises that the multidimensional determinants of undernutrition are inadequately reflected in policymaking. It argues that there must be convergent action with annual health, nutrition and sanitation plans being made in an integrated manner for all districts. In the case of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which is the main programmatic platform through which nutrition outcomes are to be achieved, the report finds that its focus on the first 1000 days of the child’s life is inadequate.&nbsp;

It argues that while children under 2-3 years of age must be given highest priority in nutrition interventions, much of the ICDS interventions are focussed on the delivery of services to children in the age group of 3 to 6 years. While the diagnosis is not entirely wrong, the recommendations at the end of the chapter do not show an adequate understanding of what needs to be done to correct this situation.

Researchers and activists have been making the same point for many years now. There is a consensus that there is a need to better reach the younger child. In the current model of the ICDS, where it is largely centre-based with part-time workers, this is not possible. The FOCUS report, 2006, recommended that every anganwadi centre must have two workers, with the primary responsibility of the second worker being the care of children under three years of age and pregnant and lactating women. In a number of subsequent reports, not just the Right to Food campaign but even UN bodies and the Planning Commission have made similar recommendations.

There has been a tremendous expansion in the ICDS following Supreme Court orders in 2006 directing that anganwadi services be universalised. The number of anganwadi centres in the country grew from about 6.5 lakhs in 2006 to almost 14 lakhs currently. The coverage of children under six receiving any ICDS services increased from 28 per cent children in 2005-06 (NFHS-3) to 54 per cent in 2015-16 (NFHS-4). However, although there has been this quantitative expansion in the programme as much attention has not been paid to improving the quality as well as addressing the design gaps.

One of the design issues, as discussed above, is enhancing the outreach to children under three. The Niti Aayog report suggests that this must be done through home visits to be conducted by accredited social health activists, a second auxiliary nurse midwife or community infant and young child feeding counsellors. This means the requirement for additional human resources is being recognised and needs to be provided for in the budgets for the ICDS.

While there was an increase in ICDS budgets commensurate to the higher number of anganwadi centres, throughout the last five years the central government’s allocations for ICDS has been stagnant around Rs.16,000 crores a year in nominal terms and declining in real terms.

The NFHS-4 finds that only about 10 per cent of children in the age group of 6 to 24 months in the country currently receive an adequate diet. While this requires counselling on infant and young child feeding, for the children in this age group it is also equally important to ensure the presence of an adult caregiver as well as the availability of energy-dense diverse foods. A number of NGO experiences across the country have shown that community-run daycare/crèche services can play a significant role in reaching out to children under two years of age and this has an impact not health and nutrition outcomes as well. One of the reforms in ICDS must, therefore, be to convert anganwadis into anganwadi-cum-crèches so that they can be accessible to younger children as well. Different models of crèches will have to be thought of depending on local contexts.

The problem with the ICDS is not that it is food-centric to the neglect of everything else rather than it is under-resourced and lacking investments – financial as well as technical and political. The ICDS is meant to provide pre-school education as well as health and nutrition services and without adequate infrastructure and human resources, achieving these twin objectives is impossible.&nbsp;

Therefore, while on the one side when nutrition is on the agenda, the ICDS is blamed for its excessive focus on older children and preschool; when preschool is the issue being discussed, the problem with ICDS is that it is preoccupied with nutrition! This can be avoided if we keep the child in the centre and not the scheme.

 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-tradition-turns-fatal-nepali-woman-two-sons-die-in-outlawed-menstruation-hut-2706410">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

The Niti Aayog’s recent report on ‘Strategy for New India @ 75’ rightly recognises that the multidimensional determinants of undernutrition are inadequately reflected in policymaking.

The Niti Aayog’s recent report on ‘Strategy for New India @ 75’ rightly recognises that the multidimensional determinants of undernutrition are inadequately reflected in policymaking. It argues that there must be convergent action with annual health, nutrition and sanitation plans being made in an integrated manner for all districts. In the case of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which is the main programmatic platform through which nutrition outcomes are to be achieved, the report finds that its focus on the first 1000 days of the child’s life is inadequate. It argues that while children under 2-3 years of age must be given highest priority in nutrition interventions, much of the ICDS interventions are focussed on the delivery of services to children in the age group of 3 to 6 years. While the diagnosis is not entirely wrong, the recommendations at the end of the chapter do not show an adequate understanding of what needs to be done to correct this situation. Researchers and activists have been making the same point for many years now. There is a consensus that there is a need to better reach the younger child. In the current model of the ICDS, where it is largely centre-based with part-time workers, this is not possible. The FOCUS report, 2006, recommended that every anganwadi centre must have two workers, with the primary responsibility of the second worker being the care of children under three years of age and pregnant and lactating women. In a number of subsequent reports, not just the Right to Food campaign but even UN bodies and the Planning Commission have made similar recommendations. There has been a tremendous expansion in the ICDS following Supreme Court orders in 2006 directing that anganwadi services be universalised. The number of anganwadi centres in the country grew from about 6.5 lakhs in 2006 to almost 14 lakhs currently. The coverage of children under six receiving any ICDS services increased from 28 per cent children in 2005-06 (NFHS-3) to 54 per cent in 2015-16 (NFHS-4). However, although there has been this quantitative expansion in the programme as much attention has not been paid to improving the quality as well as addressing the design gaps. One of the design issues, as discussed above, is enhancing the outreach to children under three. The Niti Aayog report suggests that this must be done through home visits to be conducted by accredited social health activists, a second auxiliary nurse midwife or community infant and young child feeding counsellors. This means the requirement for additional human resources is being recognised and needs to be provided for in the budgets for the ICDS. While there was an increase in ICDS budgets commensurate to the higher number of anganwadi centres, throughout the last five years the central government’s allocations for ICDS has been stagnant around Rs.16,000 crores a year in nominal terms and declining in real terms. The NFHS-4 finds that only about 10 per cent of children in the age group of 6 to 24 months in the country currently receive an adequate diet. While this requires counselling on infant and young child feeding, for the children in this age group it is also equally important to ensure the presence of an adult caregiver as well as the availability of energy-dense diverse foods. A number of NGO experiences across the country have shown that community-run daycare/crèche services can play a significant role in reaching out to children under two years of age and this has an impact not health and nutrition outcomes as well. One of the reforms in ICDS must, therefore, be to convert anganwadis into anganwadi-cum-crèches so that they can be accessible to younger children as well. Different models of crèches will have to be thought of depending on local contexts. The problem with the ICDS is not that it is food-centric to the neglect of everything else rather than it is under-resourced and lacking investments – financial as well as technical and political. The ICDS is meant to provide pre-school education as well as health and nutrition services and without adequate infrastructure and human resources, achieving these twin objectives is impossible. Therefore, while on the one side when nutrition is on the agenda, the ICDS is blamed for its excessive focus on older children and preschool; when preschool is the issue being discussed, the problem with ICDS is that it is preoccupied with nutrition! This can be avoided if we keep the child in the centre and not the scheme. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Children under age of 3 must be given highest priority in nutrition interventions

Food security usually refers to the adequate consumption of calories. This is the purpose of the National Food Security Act 2013. However, what is needed by the human body is a balanced diet, clean drinking water and sanitation. This will call for greater efforts in the field of nutrition literacy. Since we just celebrated Children’s Day, I would first like to offer a comment on the need to attend to the educational needs of first-generation learners.

We should remind ourselves that children are God’s gifts to the human family. It is important that attention is paid to their needs particularly in the areas of nutrition, health and education. The first thousand days in the child’s life are particularly important from the point of view of access to balanced diets.

An area of concern is the lack of adequate attention to the education of first-generation learners. Such children do not have access to books and other educational tools in their home because their parents are poor. I hope after Children’s Day we will attend to bridging this gap in our educational system. There is ample evidence to show that first-generation learners suffer from cognitive difficulties. A common syllabus will, therefore, not do. We should pay special attention to education and nutritional needs of first-generation learners, without further loss of time so that the country can derive full benefits from its rich human resource. Let education for first-generation learners be the main area of concentration in the light of Children’s Day.

For a malnutrition-free India, we need to pay concurrent attention to the following three areas:

1. Adequate consumption of calories which is possible today because of our progress in improving total food production, thanks to the green revolution. For example, our farmers were producing 7 million tonnes of wheat when we got our Independence in 1947. This year wheat production has exceeded 100 million tonnes. Such progress has been made possible through synergy between technology and public policy.

2. The second area which needs attention is overcoming protein hunger. Fortunately, our pulses production is going up and we should introduce pulses in the public distribution system. Milk production has also gone up and we occupy the first position in the world in milk production. However, prices are not remunerative and it is important to ensure that dairy farmers, often women, are able to receive an adequate economic return. Also, we should sustain the progress we are making in poultry and fish production.

3. The third area which needs urgent attention is overcoming micronutrient deficiencies like vitamin A, iron, iodine, vitamin D etc. Unless these three aspects receive concurrent attention, we will not be able to move from food to nutrition security.

Apart from the above, there is a need to ensure access to clean drinking water and sanitation. In the case of children, nutrition of mother and child, particularly children below 1000 days in age, need urgent attention. We have graduated from the days of the Bengal Famine and PL480 shipment to one of food self-sufficiency and conferring the right to food through legislation. It is time now to examine the nutrition security position starting at the panchayat level.&nbsp;

We have the necessary know-how as well as resources to achieve a nutrition-secure India. What is needed is a group of community hunger fighters who will be able to assist the local population in ensuring that all children, women and men are nutrition secure. I hope the election manifestos now under preparation for the 2019 general election of major political parties will contain a commitment to ensure nutrition security for all.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-a-nutrition-secure-india-should-be-government-s-top-priority-2686108">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
&nbsp;

Food security usually refers to the adequate consumption of calories. This is the purpose of the National Food Security Act 2013. However, what is needed by the human body is a balanced diet, clean drinking water and sanitation.

Food security usually refers to the adequate consumption of calories. This is the purpose of the National Food Security Act 2013. However, what is needed by the human body is a balanced diet, clean drinking water and sanitation. This will call for greater efforts in the field of nutrition literacy. Since we just celebrated Children’s Day, I would first like to offer a comment on the need to attend to the educational needs of first-generation learners. We should remind ourselves that children are God’s gifts to the human family. It is important that attention is paid to their needs particularly in the areas of nutrition, health and education. The first thousand days in the child’s life are particularly important from the point of view of access to balanced diets. An area of concern is the lack of adequate attention to the education of first-generation learners. Such children do not have access to books and other educational tools in their home because their parents are poor. I hope after Children’s Day we will attend to bridging this gap in our educational system. There is ample evidence to show that first-generation learners suffer from cognitive difficulties. A common syllabus will, therefore, not do. We should pay special attention to education and nutritional needs of first-generation learners, without further loss of time so that the country can derive full benefits from its rich human resource. Let education for first-generation learners be the main area of concentration in the light of Children’s Day. For a malnutrition-free India, we need to pay concurrent attention to the following three areas: 1. Adequate consumption of calories which is possible today because of our progress in improving total food production, thanks to the green revolution. For example, our farmers were producing 7 million tonnes of wheat when we got our Independence in 1947. This year wheat production has exceeded 100 million tonnes. Such progress has been made possible through synergy between technology and public policy. 2. The second area which needs attention is overcoming protein hunger. Fortunately, our pulses production is going up and we should introduce pulses in the public distribution system. Milk production has also gone up and we occupy the first position in the world in milk production. However, prices are not remunerative and it is important to ensure that dairy farmers, often women, are able to receive an adequate economic return. Also, we should sustain the progress we are making in poultry and fish production. 3. The third area which needs urgent attention is overcoming micronutrient deficiencies like vitamin A, iron, iodine, vitamin D etc. Unless these three aspects receive concurrent attention, we will not be able to move from food to nutrition security. Apart from the above, there is a need to ensure access to clean drinking water and sanitation. In the case of children, nutrition of mother and child, particularly children below 1000 days in age, need urgent attention. We have graduated from the days of the Bengal Famine and PL480 shipment to one of food self-sufficiency and conferring the right to food through legislation. It is time now to examine the nutrition security position starting at the panchayat level. We have the necessary know-how as well as resources to achieve a nutrition-secure India. What is needed is a group of community hunger fighters who will be able to assist the local population in ensuring that all children, women and men are nutrition secure. I hope the election manifestos now under preparation for the 2019 general election of major political parties will contain a commitment to ensure nutrition security for all. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A nutrition-secure India should be government’s top priority

By Valentina Gallo

The number of children and infants dying before they reach the age of five is startling. While child mortality varies around the world, 5.9 million children under the age of five died in 2015. More than half of these early deaths were due to preventable diseases or treatable conditions, such as diarrhoea or malnutrition. This means the deaths are caused by socio-economic marginalisation and by barriers in access to simple, affordable healthcare.

In a new study, my colleagues and I looked at data for 194 countries and found that a country’s rate of gender inequality is associated with a higher level of child mortality, with girls being disproportionally affected, in particular in low and middle-income countries.

Globally, children are at a greater risk of dying before age five if they are born in rural areas, within poor households, and if their mother was denied basic education. Gender has an impact on access to social power, which in turn interferes with the decision-making process and the distribution of resources within households. In some countries, men and women’s lives can be valued differently too.

While around 107 boys are born for every 100 girls globally, boys experience a higher mortality in early infancy. This has been linked to the greater biological susceptibility of boys to diseases. For example, girls are less vulnerable than boys to perinatal conditions, congenital anomalies, and infectious diseases.

Worldwide, at the country level, an average of 120 boys died in 2015 per 100 girls before reaching age five. That year child mortality before age five was higher among boys compared to girls in all countries in the world except for Tonga and India, where 81 and 94 boys were dying for every 100 girls, respectively.

The highest mortality among boys compared to girls under the age of five was registered in Mongolia (148 boys per 100 girls), Turkmenistan (144 boys), and Vietnam (140). The number of boys dying compared to girls was higher in upper-middle and high-income countries, but a clear pattern among countries worldwide was not immediately evident.&nbsp;

Mapping gender inequality

Our study compared this data on under-five mortality with a global index of gender inequality, published by the UN Development Programme. The Gender Inequality Index (GII) measures gender inequalities in three aspects of human development: reproductive health, empowerment, and economic status. It reflects the human development costs of gender inequality, which has been associated with higher infant mortality. This can be partially explained by a number of cultural, societal, and economic factors, such as the wealth of a country and access to healthcare.

Girls at greater risk

Our analysis also shows that gender inequality in a country is associated with disproportionate death rates among girls under five-years-old, compared to boys. So the higher the GII of a country, the lower the under-five mortality sex ratio, implying that relatively fewer boys died compared to girls.

Given the specific design of our study, we weren’t able to say that the girls who die under the age of five do so as a result of gender inequality in each country. There may also be other factors that influence the association we found.

However, gender inequality may contribute to the likelihood of a boy surviving beyond age five compared to a girl, through its impact on mothers. Maternal under-nutrition, exposure to violence, and lack of access to education can leave children experiencing poorer health. This could be through susceptibility to communicable diseases such as respiratory tract infection, or birth complications, as well as reduced access to preventive medicine.

In order to decrease child mortality in general, policies should be extended to focus beyond economic development towards reducing gender inequality across a variety of domains, including healthcare, education, workforce participation and political empowerment. Only until these measures are addressed will the detrimental transgenerational effects of gender inequality on child mortality, and particularly the child mortality of girls, be alleviated.

(Valentina Gallo is Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology, Queen Mary University of London)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-girls-die-under-age-five-in-countries-with-high-gender-inequality-105911">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Valentina Gallo The number of children and infants dying before they reach the age of five is startling. While child mortality varies around the world, 5.9 million children under the age of five died in 2015.

By Valentina Gallo The number of children and infants dying before they reach the age of five is startling. While child mortality varies around the world, 5.9 million children under the age of five died in 2015. More than half of these early deaths were due to preventable diseases or treatable conditions, such as diarrhoea or malnutrition. This means the deaths are caused by socio-economic marginalisation and by barriers in access to simple, affordable healthcare. In a new study, my colleagues and I looked at data for 194 countries and found that a country’s rate of gender inequality is associated with a higher level of child mortality, with girls being disproportionally affected, in particular in low and middle-income countries. Globally, children are at a greater risk of dying before age five if they are born in rural areas, within poor households, and if their mother was denied basic education. Gender has an impact on access to social power, which in turn interferes with the decision-making process and the distribution of resources within households. In some countries, men and women’s lives can be valued differently too. While around 107 boys are born for every 100 girls globally, boys experience a higher mortality in early infancy. This has been linked to the greater biological susceptibility of boys to diseases. For example, girls are less vulnerable than boys to perinatal conditions, congenital anomalies, and infectious diseases. Worldwide, at the country level, an average of 120 boys died in 2015 per 100 girls before reaching age five. That year child mortality before age five was higher among boys compared to girls in all countries in the world except for Tonga and India, where 81 and 94 boys were dying for every 100 girls, respectively. The highest mortality among boys compared to girls under the age of five was registered in Mongolia (148 boys per 100 girls), Turkmenistan (144 boys), and Vietnam (140). The number of boys dying compared to girls was higher in upper-middle and high-income countries, but a clear pattern among countries worldwide was not immediately evident. Mapping gender inequality Our study compared this data on under-five mortality with a global index of gender inequality, published by the UN Development Programme. The Gender Inequality Index (GII) measures gender inequalities in three aspects of human development: reproductive health, empowerment, and economic status. It reflects the human development costs of gender inequality, which has been associated with higher infant mortality. This can be partially explained by a number of cultural, societal, and economic factors, such as the wealth of a country and access to healthcare. Girls at greater risk Our analysis also shows that gender inequality in a country is associated with disproportionate death rates among girls under five-years-old, compared to boys. So the higher the GII of a country, the lower the under-five mortality sex ratio, implying that relatively fewer boys died compared to girls. Given the specific design of our study, we weren’t able to say that the girls who die under the age of five do so as a result of gender inequality in each country. There may also be other factors that influence the association we found. However, gender inequality may contribute to the likelihood of a boy surviving beyond age five compared to a girl, through its impact on mothers. Maternal under-nutrition, exposure to violence, and lack of access to education can leave children experiencing poorer health. This could be through susceptibility to communicable diseases such as respiratory tract infection, or birth complications, as well as reduced access to preventive medicine. In order to decrease child mortality in general, policies should be extended to focus beyond economic development towards reducing gender inequality across a variety of domains, including healthcare, education, workforce participation and political empowerment. Only until these measures are addressed will the detrimental transgenerational effects of gender inequality on child mortality, and particularly the child mortality of girls, be alleviated. (Valentina Gallo is Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology, Queen Mary University of London) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

More girls die under age five in countries with high gender inequality

The death toll due to malnutrition in the Palghar district of India&rsquo;s Maharashtra state has gone up to 17, with the death of a two-year-old boy on September 9. 
 
The boy, Ishwar Sawra, belonged to the tribal-dominated Mokhada region, where malnutrition has claimed a number of young lives in the past two months. 
 
Local leaders demanded the government take quick steps to remedy the situation or the villagers would take the body of the next victim to the local government office for cremation. 
 
A former member of the state assembly said the government should not have stopped the Village Child Development Programme, which was meant to tackle malnutrition. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

A former state assembly member said the govt should not have stopped the Village Child Development Programme, meant to tackle malnutrition

The death toll due to malnutrition in the Palghar district of India’s Maharashtra state has gone up to 17, with the death of a two-year-old boy on September 9. The boy, Ishwar Sawra, belonged to the tribal-dominated Mokhada region, where malnutrition has claimed a number of young lives in the past two months. Local leaders demanded the government take quick steps to remedy the situation or the villagers would take the body of the next victim to the local government office for cremation. A former member of the state assembly said the government should not have stopped the Village Child Development Programme, which was meant to tackle malnutrition. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India: 17 malnutrition deaths in two months in Maharashtra's Palghar district