Author: CFNS

WASH working group meeting held with PCI Global, WaterAid India, World Vision India and CFNS. Strategy for increasing engagement and participation were discussed. Members were requested to share success stories related to WASH and nutrition for better dissemination of knowledge and best practices.

Coalition’s ‘Food Security’ working group host Care India, organised the third meeting of the working group on July 25, 2017 at Care India office, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. World Food Programme(WFP), Digital Green, Deepak Foundation, World Vision India(WVI), Project Concern International(PCI), Matri Sudha – Charitable Trust, Food Fast Information and Action Network(FIAN), Catholic Relief Services(CRS) representatives attended the meeting along with many other researchers and development professionals.

In India, the lack of multi sectoral convergence is a barrier to successful implementation of many programmes. The working group agreed to do an analysis of existing policies, acts and constitutional provisions of the country and evaluate those in the following areas :-

(1) Dietary intake
(2) nutrition sensitive agriculture
(3) terms of trade
(4) vulnerable population
(5) sustainability.

This programme policy gap analysis will generate evidences for advocacy with the policy makers and recommendations for better synergy and convergence

Nutrition International which hosts the Accountability & Governance working group of the Coalition organized a meeting of the working group on July 19, 2017. Among others, representatives from World Food Programme, Johns Hopkins, Medicins Sans Frontier, Care India, DFID, Matri Sudha – Charitable Trust, Nari O Shishu Kalyan Kendra attended the meeting. Group decided to focus on UNSDGs and WHA state accountability and take up advocacy measures for the most vulnerable and backward states.

Major decisions taken in the meeting:

• The group will work on evidence based advocacy primarily in state like Assam, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Engagement strategy will be finalized for each state context to accelerate connections with executive, legislature and state food commission.
• States accountability on UNSDGs & WHA targets to be reviewed by the group.  Members will provide technical support in the respective states to prepare multi sectoral result based district plan in line with UNSDG and WHA targets.

Coalition’s meeting with Odisha State Food Commission: Opportunities to work together on SDGs/WHA

A meeting took place on July 17, 2017 at the Odisha State Food Commission Office with the Coalition representatives to discuss different critical issues with regard to nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. The discussion revolved around State’s future implementation strategy to achieve SDGs and WHA targets by reducing stunting, wasting and anemia (with specific attention on sickle cell anemia).

Decisions were taken to conduct a comprehensive representative Nutrition and Micronutrient survey to understand micronutrient status at the community level, roll out special projects on stunting and anemia reduction in malnutrition and hunger hotspots, form and promote hamlet level women change leaders to lead the nutrition agenda, develop inclusive, result oriented and multi-sectoral district plan on SDGs/WHA.

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A high level policy level discussion took place between Government of Odisha and CFNS on July 15, 2017 on addressing malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency in Odisha which was also joined by the Joint Secretary, Women & Child Development, Government of India. The meeting was chaired by the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha. Other dignitaries present in the meeting include Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Planning & Convergence Department, Secretary, H&FW, Agriculture and Farmer’s Empowerment, WCD, Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Director – Social Welfare, Mission Director- NRHM, Director – Health, Deputy Secretary – WCD and Mission Shakti. Governing Board Chair Mr A R Nanda, Board Member, Dr R C Panda and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Basanta Kumar Kar represented in the meeting on behalf of the Coalition.

Discussion highlights: –

Strategic Partnership MoU between The Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security and the Government of Odisha

Coalition will work with the Planning and Convergence Department Government of Odisha on SDG and WHA targets and accountability

Coalition will play the role of an aggregator of knowledge

State government is keen to work with the Coalition on nutrition focused agriculture and interested to collaborate on millet, climate smart agriculture etc.

Coalition as public interest and public purpose oriented organisation was positioned as a trusted partner of choice by the Joint Secretary, W&CD in the meeting, association of which will add value to the efforts of the state government.

The Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security, India (CFNS), Care India and Micronutrient Initiative (MI) have organized the first of the series of National Consultations on Women’s Nutrition which took place on 22nd March, 2017 in New Delhi. The event brought together government officials and key stakeholders to deliberate on crucial determinants which impact the nutrition of a woman during her entire lifetime and to understand the existing socio, cultural, economic and political scenario which is impacting woman’s nutrition and wellbeing.
 
It also provided a valuable networking opportunity and set the stage for further cooperation among government and NGOs by bringing together government representatives, policy-makers, civil society organisations, practitioners and experts with experience in collaborating sectors.
 
It was observed that there are some basic problems like, hunger, food insecurity, poor nutrition, poor livelihood opportunity, poor health including mental health, but the underlying problem is patriarchy which is leading to overwork for women, the problem of governance (specifically entitlements), and the deprivation of women. Women and girls are often looked at as mothers or future mothers and their nutrition is mostly discussed keeping childbearing in mind. There is a lack of research on gendered analyses of existing data and lack of convergence among stakeholders.
 
A way forward was suggested by way of several policy and other reforms. The full executive summary of the meeting is attached below.
 
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