What it takes: evidence from a nutrition- and gender-sensitive agriculture intervention in rural Zambia. Issue 3 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Neha; Nguyen, Phuong Hong; Harris, Jody; Harvey, Danny; Rawat, Rahul; Ruel, Marie T
• Is Part Of: Journal of development effectiveness. Volume 10:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 341
• Page End: 372
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Women's empowerment -- agriculture -- infant and young child feeding -- child undernutrition -- Zambia -- gender; Economic development -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Economic development; Economic history; Developing countries; Periodicals; 338.91724
• DOI: 10.1080/19439342.2018.1478874
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1943-9342

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Realigning Agriculture for Improved Nutrition (RAIN) project was designed to address child undernutrition through a multisectoral approach which integrated agricultural diversification to improve access to nutritious foods, the promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment and nutrition behaviour change communication to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) knowledge and practices. This paper presents the intention-to-treat impacts of the RAIN project on women's empowerment, IYCF knowledge and practices and child anthropometry. Findings on programme impacts on agricultural production, household food security and dietary diversity and maternal and child dietary diversity are reported elsewhere. The RAIN project had positive effects on women's empowerment, IYCF knowledge, child morbidity and weight-for-height z -scores, but had little impacts on IYCF practices, and no impact on stunting. Strengthening programme implementation and fostering higher participation rates could support greater impacts on child nutrition outcomes.