Women's organisations, maternal knowledge, and social capital to reduce prevalence of stunted children - evidence from rural Nepal.

• From: Department for International Development
• Published: 1 January 2003

• Country: Nepal
• Document Type: Conference Paper
• Theme: Social Change
• Authors: Imai, K., Eklund, P.A., Felloni, F.

Abstract

This study analyses behaviour of women community-based orgaisations in rural Nepal in reducing prevalence of child malnutrition in member households drawing upon the survey data collected in 2000. The induced institutional innovation hypothesis is tested: are capabilities of women organisations reflecting 'structured social capital' positively associated with improved child nutritional status? Moreover tested is the effectiveness of outside interventions. 2SLS results confirm higher capabilities of the autonomous Mothers' Group associated with lower underweight. We also demonstrate that enhanced knowledge diffusion, combined with growth promotion, represents an effective instrument for empowering rural women in acting to reduce prevalence of chronic malnutrition.

Citation

Women’s organisations, maternal knowledge, and social capital to reduce prevalence of stunted children - evidence from rural Nepal, presented at Staying Poor: Chronic Poverty and Development Policy, Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester, 7-9 April 2003. Chronic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC), Manchester, UK, 28 pp.

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Women’s organisations, maternal knowledge, and social capital to reduce prevalence of stunted children - evidence from rural Nepal.

Published 1 January 2003