Economic Reporter :
A new study has shown that consuming fortified rice can significantly reduce anemia and zinc deficiencies among the poorest women in Bangladesh.
Conducted by research centre ICDDR,B on behalf of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the study measured the impact of providing rice enriched with micronutrients to women participating in the government’s Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) programme.
The study, released at a function in a city hotel on Thursday, also found that fortified rice, when combined with training and cash grants for investment, can also contribute to women’s empowerment.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, and ambassador of Netherlands in Bangladesh Leoni Margaretha Cuelenaere, among others, addressed the function with Additional Secretary of the Women and Children Affairs Mahmuda Sharmin Benu in the chair.
Senior director of the Nutrition and Clinical Services Division of ICDDR,B Dr Tahmeed Ahmed presented the findings.
Chumki said the government would recruit a nutritionist at each upazila in the country aiming to address malnutrition problems.
Bangladesh has done remarkably well in pulling down malnutrition rate particularly stunting children in the past couple of years, she said, adding, “We have to focus on reducing malnutrition as a significant number of women are still suffering from malnutrition.”
Referring to different challenges for poverty alleviation, Chumki said nutritional status of under-five children should be improved to build a healthy nation through strengthening social safety-net programme.
A new study has shown that consuming fortified rice can significantly reduce anemia and zinc deficiencies among the poorest women in Bangladesh.
Conducted by research centre ICDDR,B on behalf of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the study measured the impact of providing rice enriched with micronutrients to women participating in the government’s Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) programme.
The study, released at a function in a city hotel on Thursday, also found that fortified rice, when combined with training and cash grants for investment, can also contribute to women’s empowerment.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, and ambassador of Netherlands in Bangladesh Leoni Margaretha Cuelenaere, among others, addressed the function with Additional Secretary of the Women and Children Affairs Mahmuda Sharmin Benu in the chair.
Senior director of the Nutrition and Clinical Services Division of ICDDR,B Dr Tahmeed Ahmed presented the findings.
Chumki said the government would recruit a nutritionist at each upazila in the country aiming to address malnutrition problems.
Bangladesh has done remarkably well in pulling down malnutrition rate particularly stunting children in the past couple of years, she said, adding, “We have to focus on reducing malnutrition as a significant number of women are still suffering from malnutrition.”
Referring to different challenges for poverty alleviation, Chumki said nutritional status of under-five children should be improved to build a healthy nation through strengthening social safety-net programme.
