Preventing and treating undernutrition in women

Good nutrition is fundamental for the health and well-being of women and adolescent girls. Yet today, one billion women globally suffer from undernutrition, and two out of three women lack essential micronutrients. These preventable problems harm women’s health, undermine their rights and have negative consequences for their children. Undernourished pregnant women and their children face risks such as low birthweight, higher infant mortality, child stunting and wasting, and long-term health problems. 

At the Child Nutrition Fund, we believe in the power of good nutrition to change lives. By investing in the nutrition of women and adolescent girls, we can help them achieve their full potential. To reach this goal, we aim to contribute to the implementation of the UNICEF Maternal Nutrition Acceleration Plan in 16 countries. Additionally, we collaborate with national governments to strengthen their policies, programmes, practices and supplies, aiming to reach at least 100 million women and girls with essential nutrition services every year by 2030.

These essential services to improve women’s nutrition include: 

• Providing pregnant women with access to vital supplements, such as multiple micronutrients or iron and folic acid.
• Ensuring access to antenatal care sessions, where women receive crucial nutrition counselling, health information, and weight gain monitoring.
• Providing balanced energy-protein supplements to treat malnutrition in pregnant women facing food insecurity.
• Supporting adolescent girls with weekly iron and folic acid supplements, helping them grow stronger, protecting their health, and improving their learning potential.

By scaling up policies, programmes, and supplies to address undernutrition in women, the Child Nutrition Fund ensures they receive the vital nutritional support they need. This empowers women and girls to realize their full potential, paving the way to a healthier and brighter future.