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Women & Home  

Fortification Easy solution to growing malnutrition threat in Madhya Pradesh

Our Correspondent : 11th March 2014
Madhya Pradesh is a growing state aiming at multi dimensional developments. Food and Nutrition security has always been the prime concern and has had a special focus in the state developmental agenda. Still the data provided for the period 2004-05 by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) present a gloomy picture of health and nutrition in the state. According to the NFHS -3 data, malnutrition among the children under 5 is very high. 60% children are under weight and 50% are stunted. Prevalence of underweight in children under 5 year of age is 51.3% in urban areas which is much higher in rural. Children between 6 to 59 months of age are anemic whereas 56% of married women, 70% adolescent girls and 84% of pregnant women are reportedly anemic.
Even though M.P. Government provides Vitamin A, Iron and Folic Acid supplements to ensure sufficient nutrition, still the availability/consumption of balanced nutrient diet is a must comprising of green leafy vegetables and fruits for proper physical and mental growth. Nutrients like Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin A & B12 help us …….prevent:
· Birth defects;
· Safe delivery – reducing the maternal/infant mortality rate;
· Improves the IQ level and mental retention in children;
· Improves the work potential in adults;
· Prevents anemia leading to healthy and happy family.

Food Fortification is one of the widely acclaimed and accepted solution to this grave situation of malnutrition, hence Roller Flour Millers Federation of India together with Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition have initiated Fortification of widely consumed staples like Wheat Flour and Oil in the state of Madhya Pradesh. To educate the consumers and ensure the consumption of fortified foods, it is required that Media is invited to join hands and creates awareness, builds the acceptability of fortified foods among the consumers.
Keeping in view the regular consumption of fortified foods, we can ensure atleast one third of the daily nutritional requirement. It is important that consumer is aware of the benefits of the fortified foods and is motivated to demand and consume fortified foods for which Media is to play a positive and active role.
Media’s partnership is solicited to combat micronutrient malnutrition through fortified foods which provides a ready, safe and economically viable way out that has long term and positive results.
Media Contacts :
Mr. Faiz Hasan PR Solution India M: +91- 99981896675
Ms. Veena Sharma Project Director WFF - RFMFI GAIN Project M :09810204133
Mr. Deepak Hate Project Coordinator WFF - RFMFI GAIN Project M: 9826553004


Women in India, developing countries lag in Internet use: Intel report

Our Correspondent : 14 Jan. 2013
Washington: More needs to be done to boost women's and girl's lagging online access, tech giant Intel Corp said in a report to be released later on Thursday that calls for doubling the number of female Internet users in developing nations over the next three years.

The report, funded by the global chipmaker with input from the United Nations and US State Department, among others, points to stubborn gaps in women's access to the Internet in Africa, the Middle East and other developing parts of the world.

It found women are nearly 25 percent less likely than men to be online in those regions, and called on policymakers and technology companies to take steps such as making it easier to access the Internet on mobile phones, allowing free mobile content and boosting digital literacy to shrink the gap.

Surveys and interviews with more than 2,200 women and girls focused on four developing countries - Egypt, India, Mexico and Uganda - found that Internet access was critical for women to earn more money or search and apply for jobs.

"With the powerful capabilities the Internet enables - to connect, to learn, to engage, to increase productivity, and to find opportunities - women's lack of access is giving rise to a second digital divide, one where women and girls risk being left further and further behind," said Melanne Verveer, ambassador for global women's issues at the State Department.

Although the United States and other developed nations see fairly high levels of overall Internet access and usage among women, some gaps remain, mostly in rural areas or among the poor.

In the developing world, however, the gap is far wider.

Just 11 percent of men and women in India have Internet access compared to 79 percent in the United States, said Shelly Esque, a vice president for the chipmaker and president of its educational foundation.

Thursday's report shows 600 million women in developing nations, or 21 percent, are online now, and another 450 million are expected to gain Internet access by 2016. But taking extra steps could help bring an additional 150 million women and girls online over the next three years, the report said.

Good for global economy

Esque pointed to the role technology played in the Arab Spring revolts, particularly in Egypt.

"Information was such a powerful tool," she told Reuters. "What would be the potential for a country like that if they were able to have more equal access? We need to work on that."

A UN Human Rights Council resolution last year recognized the power of the Internet to spur progress and encouraged countries to promote and facilitate access to it.

Still, many women surveyed by Intel cited barriers ranging from the belief that Internet use was not "appropriate" for them to the cost of getting connected. Illiteracy and lack of awareness about potential uses also were factors.

Increased access would not only improve women's lives but also boost the global economy, according to Intel's report.

It would add between $50 billion and $70 billion in potential new market opportunities, the report said. It could also bring another $13 billion to $18 billion each year globally to the market value of goods and services - a measure known as gross domestic product or GDP.

The findings by the Santa Clara, California-based company aim to encourage other technology companies, policymakers and nongovernmental groups to take steps to get more women and girls online, it said.

"Without access to the Internet, women lack access to its tools, resources and opportunities," the report said. "This gap disadvantages not just women, but their families, communities and countries."

Police draw new roadmap for women's safety

Our Correspondent : 14 Jan. 2013
Ahmedabad, Mon Jan 14 2013,
The state has witnessed 10 incidents of rape within a month where minor girls and women have been targeted

Amid nationwide protests and demands for stricter punishment for crime against women after a paramedic student was gangraped in Delhi, Gujarat witnessed 10 incidents of rape within a month where minor girls and women were targeted. In the wake of this, the Gujarat Police issued a mandate last week for prevention of such incidents and sensitisation towards rape victims.

The recently drafted mandate includes daily extensive patrolling in isolated areas of cities and districts across the state. Cities and districts have reactivated the 'Romeo' squad and now have women officers also to keep an eye on miscreants and eve-teasers.

While BRTS stops are under CCTV camera surveillance, for other bus services and autorickshaws for which women wait on roads, police personnel have been asked to keep checking public transports regularly.

Inspector General of Police CID (Women Cell) Anil Pratham said, "District police chiefs have been asked to remain extremely vigilant and jump into action in cases where women complain of rape, gangrape, eve-teasing or sexual harassment. Policemen are being trained to become more sensitive towards victims and handle cases with care while keeping the dignity of women intact."

The state CID (crime) is preparing a report based on analysis of such cases to understand the reasons leading to rapes and modus operandi of rapists, so that stricter measures can be taken to prevent crime against women.