Access to nutritious food for a better future
Muthengo Development Solutions
Development Solution is a consultancy firm that aims to offer a service that meets quality international standards.
Right to foods for a better life and a better future #WorldFoodDay This year's theme resonated with a recent project we worked on https://www.developmentsolutions.co.zw/projects/summative-evaluation-un-joint-programme-girls-education-2014-%E2%80%93-2024-malawi. The project had key international organisations with a heavily palpable presence in girls’ education in Malawi, this included United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the World Bank, among others.
WFP supported the implementation of nutrition programmes aimed at enhancing learning through better health. This is mostly achieved by providing learners with safe, diverse, nutritious meals sourced from local farmers through the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme. Initiatives like school feeding especially from homegrown resources (11 districts) have registered substantial achievements including an increase in school attendance from 77% to 92%, a reduction in absenteeism by 5%, and a 3% in dropout rates (WFP 2023). Despite these laudable achievements, there remain- several challenges that present bottlenecks to girls’ education in Malawi. Increased investment and support for education, life skills, health, and nutrition of children and adolescents in and out of school by communities, parents, and education stakeholders. Whilst UNICEF played a significant role in promoting girls’ education in Malawi by supporting policy development, capacity building, and programme implementation. It focused on improving access to quality education, addressing gender disparities, and creating safe learning environments. UNICEF also provides resources for teacher training and community engagement to reduce barriers to girls’ education. UNFPA strengthens sexual and reproductive health rights and services, among other components for a girls' education and better future.
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‘Foods’ stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability, and safety. A greater diversity of nutritious foods should be available in our fields, in our markets, and on our tables, for the benefit of all. We recognise the vital role of food security and nutrition in helping every child to thrive. Every child needs access to better nutrition for growth, development, and a better future.