The Influence of Women Empowerment on Child Nutrition in Rural Nigeria
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Date
2021-11-15
Authors
K.K, Salman,
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Economic Research Consortium
Abstract
Women empowerment is key to reducing weak dietary diversity and chronic
child malnutrition. In Nigeria, child malnutrition is persistent, despite several
interventions that failed to factor in the need to empower women to eradicate
the menace. In this study, 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 analyzed 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. It also
shows that, on average, women had access to less than two empowerment indicators,
implying low empowerment among women. Women empowerment significantly
increased household dietary diversity and consequently reduces the probability
of child stunting. These findings support the claim that woman 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