Women and Food Security in South Asia: Current Issues and Emerging Concerns

Abstract

The last few decades have witnessed a sweeping change in food production in South Asia. India, the largest of the South Asian economies, is now largely self-sufficient in foodgrain and an emerging exporter.¹ While the other countries of the region remain dependent on cereal imports, the per capita availability of cereals has increased in every country (with the exception of the Maldives) from the 1980s to date. Yet, endemic pockets of hunger remain, seasonal shortfalls are manifest and malnutrition is widespread across the region, women and children being the greatest sufferers. The ‘Asian enigma’, as it is termed, of food scarcity and malnutrition amidst plenty, has defied all attempts at resolution so far. Poverty alleviation strategies, livelihood generation programmes and direct food interventions have all been tried, to little avail. Food security researchers have often commented on the fact that, while most South Asian countries have available food stocks and better health and education services in comparison to many other developing countries, even most countries of food-deficit sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) score higher in terms of the nutrition levels of their women and children. It is thus evident that a fresh approach to the issue is warranted, if the millennium goal of a hunger-free world by 2015 is to be achieved.

The educated and socially empowered Asian woman is the key to improving the nutrition and mental acuity of young children and that improvement sets in motion lifelong prospects for heightened learning and earning with benefit streams to families, communities and nations. (www.geocities.com/wduminder/healthinsouthasia)