Women & nutritional health

Component Objective: To improve child health & nutrition in bush communities through the dissemination of information & skills by clinics & hospitals.  Bush communities are particularly disadvantaged and are a focus of this component.

Women are responsible for the care and nutrition of children - in solomon islands infant malnutrition is high and can be combatted by educating women about nutrition and helping them with the knowledge and planting materials to grow a balanced diet available every day throughout the year

Women are responsible for the care and nutrition of children - in solomon islands infant malnutrition is high and can be combatted by educating women about nutrition and helping them with the knowledge and planting materials to grow a balanced diet available every day throughout the year

Women need access to information, especially about sustainable land management practices, pest and disease control, adult and infant nutrition (consumption of ‘junk’ food and poor weaning practices are responsible for increased risks to health), food crop germplasm – root crops and vegetables – and ways to provide diverse, flavoursome meals, cooked on more efficient, smoke reduced, stoves to cut high rates of respiratory infections, and the need to collect large amounts of wood for fuel.

There are three areas where KGA will focus its expertise: first, promotion of leafy vegetables and fruits in the diets of people living in highland regions, Kwaio in particular (See Unheard Voices of the Bush 2007); second, awareness creation of the “Noodle Revolution” and its disastrous consequences on family health and income; and third, the detrimental effects on health caused by smoke from kitchen fires. None are solely the concern of women, but women suffer disproportionately from their effects.
disproportionately from their effects.

Slippery kabis is one of a number of staple greens grown mostly by women farmers that is very important for nutrition and local marketing income. Slippery kabis has been hit by serious pest problems that KGA is working with IPPSI to find solutions to.

Slippery kabis is one of a number of staple greens grown mostly by women farmers that is very important for nutrition and local marketing income. Slippery kabis has been hit by serious pest problems that KGA is working with IPPSI to find solutions to.
Outputs

1.            Supsup gardens – Hospital model farm and improved nutrition of hospital patients / spread of nutritional gardening in community

2.            Training of women trainers drawn from selected partners as local resource people

3.            Nutrition & health education programs for partners

4.            Linkages with other NGO’s (e.g., church women groups, national NGOs etc)

5.            IPDM training for women trainers

6.            Gender based M&E indicators for KGA program

7.            Model kitchens and trials of smokeless or reduced smoke stoves

Roselyn Kabu is the manager of Women and Nutritional Health Services for KGA partners and farmers