Palikas in Nepal are well suited to support women's entrepreneurship as they have a deeper contextual understanding of local needs and challenges
Malnutrition in the Himalayan region of Nepal is a significant public health concern, particularly affecting children and vulnerable populations who often lack access to nutrient-dense foods. Although the condition has improved over the years, considerable disparities persist, with 60 per cent of people in the mountains and 53 per cent in the hills being food insecure, compared to 48 per cent in the plains.
Recent studies show that Nepal has made progress in reducing malnutrition over the past 25 years, with child stunting dropping from 56.6 per cent in 1996 to 24.8 per cent in 2022. However, this improvement varies by income level. The poorest saw only a 19.7 per cent reduction, while the wealthiest experienced a 67.1 per cent decrease, indicating that low-income communities need more targeted help. Stunting (shorter height for age) affects 25 per cent of children under five, while 8 per cent of children are wasted (dangerously low weight for height) and 19 per cent are underweight.
Additionally, anaemia is a significant issue, with 43 per cent of children aged 6-59 months and 34 per cent of women aged 15-49 years affected. This situation can be significantly improved by empowering women, who are pivotal in shaping their communities' nutritional landscapes.
Malnutrition can lead to immunodeficiency, weakening the immune system and making childhood diseases more severe and prolonged, which increases the risk of child mortality, stunted growth and reduced cognitive abilities. Additionally, poor maternal nutrition contributes to a higher maternal mortality rate. The problem stems from inadequate food intake, often due to poverty and inappropriate feeding practices. For instance, the preference for subsidised rice over traditional nutrient-rich crops like sorghum, barley and millet has led to a decline in their cultivation and consumption.
The rugged terrain and weak transportation infrastructure in the Himalayas further complicate the consistent nutritious food supply. Despite roads being the lifeline of the country, only 30 per cent of rural roads are paved but are inadequately maintained and are seasonal roads. Additionally, economic opportunities for women in these regions are limited, preventing them from contributing fully to the local economy and improving their families' nutritional status.
Women in the Himalayan region are primarily responsible for managing household nutrition, yet they face limited access to resources, education and decision-making power. In Nepal, only 10 per cent of business owners are women. A major barrier for women has been securing funds to start their businesses. Despite constitutional and legal provisions, patriarchal traditions often prevent women from exercising their rights and using property as collateral for loans. This forces them to resort to informal loans from family or microfinance institutions that charge exorbitantly high interest rates. Other challenges women face include socio-cultural barriers where women are confined to the roles of caregivers and homemakers, educational and skill gaps in running a business, heavy domestic chores, and additional layers of discrimination faced by women from marginalised ethnic groups.
Empowering women through entrepreneurship offers a life-changing opportunity that not only elevates their economic status but also addresses social issues within their communities, ultimately benefiting the entire community. An inspiring example is "Shokti Doi" in Bangladesh, which provides nutrient-rich yoghurt at affordable prices and not only tackles malnutrition but also generates economic opportunities for women. Cato Foods in Nigeria is a women-led company producing vitamin A biofortified cassava, which is both nutritious and popular among children.
In countries like India and Rwanda, women play a central role in growing biofortified crops that enhance nutritional value. For instance, in Bihar, India, women have successfully cultivated zinc-enriched wheat, leading to higher profits and offering a sustainable solution to zinc deficiency. In Rwanda, where iron deficiency causes anaemia in 38 per cent of children under five and 19 per cent of pregnant women, women grow iron-rich beans that meet up to 80 per cent of daily iron requirements. By creating business models that empower women and support their role in improving nutrition, we can convert the challenge of malnutrition into a business opportunity.
Palikas in Nepal are well suited to support women's entrepreneurship as they have a deeper contextual understanding of local needs and challenges. Palikas can aid women entrepreneurs by supplying seeds to farmers and producing locally nutrient-enriched food and developing markets. Instead of relying on temporary aid from non-governmental organisations, the Palikas should use blended financing to support and incubate such entrepreneurship, which requires a long-term investment. In addition to the regular food fortification programme in Nepal, the Government of Nepal must focus on market-driven fortification similar to the USA, where food manufacturers voluntarily add micronutrients to food, usually within government-set standards.
Empowering women in the Himalayan region to combat malnutrition addresses immediate dietary deficiencies and fosters broader social and economic benefits. Educated and economically empowered women contribute to healthier families and resilient communities. Their success as role models and champions inspires others and strengthens community efforts against malnutrition. Investing in women's education, economic opportunities, and access to resources can create sustainable solutions that improve nutritional outcomes and uplift entire communities, paving the way for a healthier and more equitable future.
Rana is the Program Director at The Himalayan Dialogues, his expertise lies in Crisis Management and Knowledge Management
