India, Sept. 12 -- Despite decades of global efforts to address malnutrition, women and girls continue to disproportionately suffer from poor nutrition, anaemia, and micronutrient deficiencies. This isn't just a health issue; it's a profound social crisis rooted in gender inequality. We cannot achieve global health goals or gender equality without addressing the deep-seated connections between nutrition and gender.

Discriminatory social norms often dictate who eats first and who gets the most nutritious food. In many households, women and girls eat last and get smaller portions, a practice passed down through generations. The issue becomes even more apparent during times of crises or food shortages, when mothers often sacrifice their own...