The Influence of Women Empowerment on Child Nutrition in Rural Nigeria
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Date
2022-03
Authors
M.B., Salawu,
K.K, Salman
Rufai, A.M
I., Ogunniyi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AERC
Abstract
Women empowerment is key to reducing weak dietary diversity and chronic child
malnutrition. In Nigeria, child malnutrition is persistent, despite several interventions,
which failed to factor in the need to empower women to eradicate the menace. In
thisstudy, we examined the influence of women empowerment on child nutrition
in rural Nigeria, using the five basic domains of empowerment, namely: production,
resources, income, leadership and time. Data from General Household Survey Panel
2015-2016 were analysed using Poisson regression, Ordinary Least Square regression
and Instrumental Variables techniques to correct for potential endogeneity. The results
show that most (over 90%) of households consumed cereals, vegetables, oils and
fat, spices, condiments and beverages. They also show that, on average, women had
access to less than two empowerment indicators, implying low empowerment among
them. Women empowerment significantly increased household dietary diversity and
consequently reduced the probability of child stunting. These findings support the
claim that women empowerment is a pathway out of the cycle of weak dietary diversity
and consistent child malnutrition in rural Nigeria. It is, therefore, recommended
that complementary and supportive policies on women empowerment, aimed at
preventing and reducing severe child malnutrition in Nigeria, should be strengthened.
Description
Keywords
Child Nutrition, Empowerment, Rural Women