March 24, 2023, Kathmandu
The nutritional status of women and children in Nepal has been observed to be insufficient. Despite the implementation of various nutrition-related programs and services in Nepal over a long period, there is still a significant need for improvement in addressing malnutrition among women, children, and adolescents.
To address this issue, stakeholders participating in the “Child Nutrition Status in Nepal Booklet Launching and Discussion Program” held in Kathmandu today have recommended an increase in the budget allocation to provide better nutrition for women, children, and need for sensitizing the issue in community level.
During the release of the “Child Nutrition Status in Nepal 2023” booklet prepared by Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (Jcycn), the Hon’ble chairman of the National Assembly, Mr. Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, emphasized the need for awareness to reduce malnutrition and end discrimination in nutrition, particularly towards daughters and young girls. He stressed the importance of developing a culture that promotes equal access to nutrition.
The program was organized with the slogan “Malnutrition-free society, children are the foundation of national pride,” and emphasized the significance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life as the foundation for their overall development. The report recommends that local levels focus on improving the nutritional status of children as suggested in the booklet. Chairperson Timilsina urged all stakeholders to take this matter seriously and work towards building a healthier society.
During a presentation on the “Nutrition status of Children in Nepal,” Dr. Kiran Rupakhetee, Joint Secretary of the National Planning Commission, highlighted the low nutritional status of children under 5 years. According to Nepal’s Demographic Health Survey 2022, 29 percent of children in Madhes province are stunted, 10 percent are wasted, 27 percent are underweight, and 51 percent are anaemic. In comparison, the condition of nutrition is slightly better in Bagmati Province.
According to a study conducted in 2022, the under-five mortality rate due to undernutrition decreased from 91 per 1,000 in 2001 to 23 in 2022. Similarly, infant death within 1 year of birth (per 1000 live births) was 64 in 2001 and 28 in 2022. Further, infant death within 28 days of birth (per 1000 live births) was 39 in 2001 and 21 in 2022.
The Nepal Demographic Health Survey shows a decline in malnutrition rates from 57% in 2001 to 25% in 2022. Similarly, the rate of underweight children under five years old has also decreased from 43% in 2001 to 19% in 2022. Nevertheless, anaemia rates among children and women of reproductive age remain high. The Global Hunger Index score for Nepal in 2020 was moderate, indicating that food and nutrition insecurity continues to be an issue. The prevalence of undernourishment has decreased over the years, but it remains a concern for the population.
Honorable Member of the National Human Rights Commission Ms. Lily Thapa shared that there have been various research-based suggestions relating to how much and for how long the social security allowance should be that need to be reviewed. She added that nutrition is related to everyone and it should be a matter of concern for everyone.
Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens Mr. Yamlal Bhusal shared that the state of implementation of the existing laws is being evaluated and that the issue of children is a matter of inter-ministerial concern, and accordingly work plans have been formulated with proper division of responsibilities. He added that since the right to nutrition of children is clearly stated in the Constitution and the Act relating to children, everyone is obliged to work together to implement it.
Representing children across the nation, Ms. Sadiksha Ghimire demanded that the government needs to enforce existing plans and policies. She expressed her dissatisfaction with an increase in sales of junk foods due to inadequate government monitoring. In this regard, she urged the government to increase the investment in nutritious foods for children. She also highlighted the need for schools to be proactive and create an enabling environment to encourage nutritious food in and out of schools.
Mr. Tilottam Paudel, Chairperson of Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal and also the presiding chair, emphasized the important role of civil society in solving the problem of malnutrition in the program organized in support of KANALLAN. He said, “We must accept the need for collaborative efforts involving many stakeholders, including civil society, to deal with malnutrition.” It is important for civil society organizations to actively engage with governments and other stakeholders to develop and implement effective nutrition programs. We also need to empower communities and families with the knowledge and resources to ensure children receive adequate nutrition. Uringing for the cooperation and collaboration among different stakeholders, he stated that only through joint efforts can we hope to address the challenge of malnutrition in Nepal and secure a bright future for our children.
Similarly, Mr. Resham Kadel, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Mr. Leela Bikram Thapa, Chief of the Nutrition Section of the Ministry of Health, informed that the government is implementing a multi-sectoral nutrition program and is working in coordination with various agencies.
While sharing that the nutrition-friendly local governance is being implemented, and it is interrelated with child-friendly local governance, he informed that the Ministry of Federal Affairs is continuously working on capacity building to make nutrition a matter of everyone’s concern.
Mr. Arjun Bhattarai, General Secretary of the Non-Governmental Organizations Federation, speaking on behalf of the entire civil society organization, emphasized prioritizing our indigenous foods. He suggested that all the sectors must work to encourage such nutritious habits from all sectors. He added that we should replace the practice of eating junk foods with healthy locally grown food eating practices. He also emphasized raising awareness among parents, thinking about how to make the local government responsible, and raising the issue of increasing the monitoring. Along with that, he emphasized drafting the Social Protection Act by including all the concerns of the unified social security structure.
Mr. Bidur Subedi, the coordinator of the National Network for Food Rights, stressed the fact that child nutrition is not a matter of child rights, but a matter of overall human rights and food rights. Mr. Tarak Dhital, a child rights activist, also urged us to invest in the nutrition sector, stressing that we have not lost our direction, but there has definitely been a delay.
The participants shared their experiences and insights on the challenges of child nutrition in Nepal and requested the Nepal government to deliver the nutrition amount of Rs. 532 to all districts and to increase the amount gradually as per the need. They also put forward that the school lunch program should be extended to at least the secondary level as well and that the amount of Rs 15 per student is not enough. In the program, stakeholders emphasized that child-friendly, youth-friendly, gender-friendly and nutrition-friendly campaigns should also be promoted.
The program witnessed the participation of 72 civil society organizations, 12 different national networks, 17 development partner organizations, 15 government agencies, and 120 people including media workers participated in the program facilitated by Ms. Bipana Sharma.
Jagriti Child and Youth Concerns Nepal was established to protect the rights of children, adolescents and youth through advocacy, research and campaigning through programs and activities focused on the empowerment of girls, protection of human rights, and anti-human trafficking, The organization has also been operating to end of child labour, and focusing to areas such child-friendly local governance, youth-friendly, and child health.
