Improvements to Female Autonomy and Household Decision-Making Power from an Intervention Targeting Improved Food Security: A Gender-Based Analysis of the Rajasthan Nutrition Project

Country: India
State / Locale: Rajasthan, India
Population: women who were pregnant and/or had children
Community Engagement (IAP2 Spectrum): Consult
Equity: People Place Process Power

Study Description:
This study focused on the Rajasthan Nutrition Project (RNP) to check if it changed how people eat and improved gender equality and women's decision-making. The project aimed to teach about nutrition, help women manage resources fairly, and plan for better family nutrition. They used five methods: teaching about nutrition, supporting farming, talking about gender, connecting to health services, and assisting with saving money and earning. Overall, 8,131 people were part of the project, and 1,280 learned to talk about nutrition. During the project, all nutrition goals were achieved or surpassed. More kids (52.8%) and female household heads (52.6%) had enough food, and when both partners were involved, decisions about food shopping increased from 24.8% to 48.7%, while separate decisions decreased. Wife-led decision-making rose from 40.5% to 66.3%. Women often face health issues due to their gender, but when gender and nutrition discussions occur, it positively affects having enough food and lowers domestic violence.

Belvedere, L. M., Davis, S. F., Gray, B. L., & Crookston, B. T. (2021). Improvements to female autonomy and household decision-making power from an intervention targeting improved food security: A gender-based analysis of the Rajasthan nutrition project. Health, 13(02), 188.