How food is allocated within a household at mealtimes is not always equal for women and girls. Even if the household is able to access protein-rich, micronutrient-dense food, intra-household distribution of food to women and girls is often less, given that men and boys are often served first and women and girls eat any remaining food.
As a result women and girls have an elevated risk of malnutrition, which can have long-term developmental impacts for young girl children. For women of child-bearing age, iron and other nutrients are essential for safe, healthy pregnancies and early-childhood feeding.
TCI seeks to improve and expand research methods and impacts for intra-household behavior change. We are exploring the use of women’s self-help groups in creating behavior change at the community level. We are also studying emerging taste and quality preferences as rural populations get exposed to modern food value chains.