In a recent meeting with World Bank officials, former Union minister for women Smriti Irani discussed the need for gender equality in the Global South. She spoke about women-driven development in areas like education, healthcare and economic empowerment.
However, while she accepted the requirement for a cultural shift towards women, she failed to explain the mechanism through which this could be achieved. Her initiatives were largely policy-driven. But cultural attitudes, which are often significant barriers in achieving gender equality, were left unaddressed. Without strategies targeting those deep-rooted cultural norms, the impact of the policies may well be restricted.
One of the ways in which these cultural barriers manifest is through unequal access to nutrition between boys and girls. A study by economists Seema Jayachandran and Rohini Pande published in 2017 states that boys tend to receive larger and more nutritious portions of food in comparison to girls as it is believed that boys are more likely to act as the primary provider in the family.
A Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report underscores “Gendered norms revolve around who has control over property rights, land, and other resources further affect food access. Women and girls have limited control and means to purchase and consume healthy food for them, hence they are susceptible to the diets of their household members, mainly their husbands and in-laws (sic).” Moreover, some cultural norms also prohibit women’s entry into the kitchen or having particular meals during menstruation.
Thus, gender-based inequalities in access to nutrition continue to exist in India despite the state’s commitment to gender equality.
What does the data reveal?
The highly inequitable food distribution within families brings severe health repercussions in girls in the form of anaemia, stunted growth and deficiencies in the basic needs of a female body, such as iron, protein and vitamins. The National Family Health Survey data (NFHS-4 and NFHS-5), for instance, indicate that 54-59% of girls within the age group of 15-19 years are anaemic as opposed to 29-31% boys in the same group.
Anaemia combined with poor nutrition and menstruation contributes to chronic fatigue and inability to concentrate, impacting girls’ academic outcomes.
NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 surveys (2015-16 and 2019-21) also revealed that intra-household food discrimination often means that girls do not consume many food items that carry high iron content, such as meat, green leafy vegetables and pulses. Nutritional inequality is the main cause of anaemia, an iron deficiency.
More importantly, despite programs like the Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) being introduced, girls still aren’t well informed about their body’s specific nutritional needs.
Several studies in recent years have shown that anaemic girls are significantly more likely to miss school and less likely to accomplish cognitive tasks than others, thereby further expanding the gender gap in education.
The link between menstruation, nutritional inequality and education
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that girls who experienced iron deficiencies were significantly more likely to struggle in maths and reading, underscoring the vital link between nutrition and cognitive development. Persistent stunting was also associated with lower proficiency in these subjects among boys and girls.
Poor menstrual hygiene and cultural taboos surrounding menstruation also contribute to absenteeism in school. A 2015 report by Dasra and USAID on menstrual health in India revealed that at least 23% of girls permanently leave school upon reaching puberty. For those who already suffer from anaemia, menstruation during puberty makes their condition worse, thereby intensifying fatigue and impairing girls’ academic performance.
This vicious cycle of bad nutrition, anaemia and menstrual challenges are some of the reasons why the educational gender gap persists in India. A meta-analysis of 64 studies examining school absenteeism linked to menstruation found that approximately one in four girls missed one or more school days during their menstrual periods. The reasons for absenteeism varied significantly by region. Common causes included physical discomfort or menstrual pain, inadequate water and hygiene facilities, lack of disposal options for menstrual products in school toilets, fear of staining clothes and restrictions imposed by family members or teachers.
The Indian government has launched various programmes, such as the AMB scheme, which aim to reduce anaemia by providing iron supplements and promoting dietary diversity among women and children.The mid day meal scheme, which delivers free food to a vast number of school children, has also played a very important role in enhancing nutrition outcomes among girls.
However, while these programs have made some progress, they still suffer from significant shortcomings. Deep-seated cultural biases that favour boys continue to exist, especially in rural areas, where food allocation often reflects and perpetuates the more extreme discriminatory practices.
A 2022 report by Concern Worldwide highlights that several patriarchal practices contribute to women being more likely to experience hunger than men. In many cultures, men are given priority during mealtimes. When food is scarce, women often reduce their intake or skip meals altogether to ensure that their partners and children receive enough to eat. In some instances, they do not have a say in this decision.
How can women’s nutrition outcomes fuel India’s economic progress?
In his book, An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen highlights that countries with higher female participation in policy-making see better health outcomes and improved nutritional standards. He argues that empowering women often leads to greater household spending on health and education, which in turn drives significant social benefits.
Another study by McKinsey & Company and World Bank Open Knowledge estimates that a 10% rise in women’s labour force participation could contribute an additional $2.5 trillion to India’s GDP.
India needs not only policy interventions but also significant cultural transformations. To fully harness the potential of girls and women, it is imperative to address the systemic gender biases that sustain nutritional inequity.
Eliminating this gender-biased caregiving will be a strategic step toward an environment where children of both genders have an equal chance to thrive and contribute to the development of the nation.
Nimshi Lal and Rahul Sharma are Teaching Fellows of Economics at KREA University, Andhra Pradesh
