Ma’r ANChAL PROJECT

Although child and maternal malnutrition has been reduced in Bangladesh, the prevalence of underweight among children aged less than five years is still high (41%). Nearly one-third of women are undernourished with body mass index of 18.5 kg/m2. The prevalence of anemia among young infants, adolescent girls, and pregnant women is still at unacceptable levels. Over the last decade, the proportion of women with low body mass index, an indicator of under nutrition, has decreased from 34 to 19 per cent. However, the proportion of overweight women increased alarmingly from 9 to 24 per cent over the same period.

Bangladesh is facing a ‘double burden’ of malnutrition among women. Adolescent nutrition also remains a major issue. Child marriage is extremely common and undermines the nourishment needs of adolescent girls. Around 29 per cent of girls are malnourished. This is particularly significant given adolescent birth rate in Bangladesh is among the highest in the world. Early pregnancy raises the risk of morbidity and mortality of both mother and newborn. Babies born to adolescent mothers often have low birth weight, which begins a cycle of poor nutritional outcomes. Adolescents aged 15 between 19 are twice as likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth compared to women older than age 20, according to global data. Adolescents younger than age 15 are 5 times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth. Adolescent girls in Bangladesh also exhibit high-levels of micronutrient deficiencies and on an average half of all women is affected by anaemia, which is the absence of healthy red blood cells for carrying oxygen.

With an aim to elevate the nutritional status of adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers and children less than 2 years of age CSS is implementing a project titled Ma’r ANChAL in selected seven unions of Rampal upazila under Bagerhat district. Among all the unions, selected 7 unions are more vulnerable with respect to nutrition and health status as suggested by socio-economic structure. The major outcomes are enhanced decision-making power of women, reduced early marriage and pregnancy, and increased male sensitivity and involvement in ensuring family’s nutritional intake. Alongside the project will focus on different IGA training of extreme poor (PEP) family members to help them increase their household income.