In a bid to address malnutrition-related challenges, the Federal Government has unveiled a National Guideline aimed at bridging existing gaps in multi-sectoral approaches to nutrition in Nigeria.
At the launch event in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the document aims at promoting healthy living as well as longevity, not only among women and girls but the entire Nigerian populace.
Highlighting the dire situation of malnutrition in Nigeria, the Minister noted the country has the third highest record of wasted children in the world, with malnutrition being responsible for the deaths of many of them before the age of 5 and a high percentage of its women of reproductive age also suffering from anaemia.
She stressed that optimal nutrition is not only a health imperative but also a basic human right, as recognized in international declarations.
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“The consequences of malnutrition, including cognitive impairments, reduced productivity and chronic illnesses, can result in significant Gross Domestic Product (GDP) losses of 2.3 percent annually, translating into substantial economic burdens,” Kennedy-Ohanenye said.
Kennedy-Ohanenye explained that it is in recognition of this fact, that the Ministry, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration commenced its sustainable empowerment programmes to equip women and girls as key drivers in the malnutrition echo system on skill acquisition and entrepreneurship to enable them earn and cater adequately for the food needs of their families, among others.
“Our interventions extend beyond nutrition to encompass comprehensive empowerment strategies.
“We have developed and disseminated the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan, procured and distributed empowerment materials, provided agricultural training and renovated skill acquisition centers to equip women with the tools they need to thrive,” she added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda stated that the Launch of the Guideline marks a critical milestone for the integration of women and girls’ concerns for optimal nutrition which were not adequately covered by other existing policies.
Represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Tony Iwere, he expressed the Ministry’s high rate of malnutrition of women and children in Nigeria as reflected in the statistics on stunting, wasting, anaemia and micronutrient deficiency among others.
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“The Booklet tallies with the ongoing efforts of achieving food security, gender-sensitive society as well as inclusivity in National Economic Growth and Development,” he noted.
Aduda stated further that in line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration, “the Ministry is committed to building a just society in which women, girls and other vulnerable groups will enjoy the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all spheres of life, devoid of discrimination; where their needs and concerns are mainstreamed equitably into all sectors of National Development.”
Speaking on the Nutrition Situation in Nigeria, the Nutrition Focal Officer, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Chito Nelson explained that stunting is an indicator of chronic malnutrition and disclosed that 149 million children under age 5 are stunted across the world, with 95 percent of them coming from Asia and Africa.
While informing that under-nutrition leads to early death, Mrs Nelson stressed the need for intentional empowerment of Nigerian women and girls to enable them to gain power over their finances as this will go a long way towards promoting optimal nutrition as well as human capital development for the country.
