India, Oct. 15 -- Access to nutrition for girls and women in many parts of India is influenced by gendered biases rooted in social norms passed down through generations. As a lived experience, girls and women see it play out as decisions about who eats first, how much, and when.

Nutritional challenges faced by girls and women at different life stages put them at a disadvantage, impacting their health and susceptibility, especially during pregnancy and as young mothers. These nutritional deficiencies also affect women's access to economic and professional opportunities.

According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21), nutritional challenges among girls and women in India have worsened, marked by a rise in both ana...