Bangladesh has made significant progress in addressing malnutrition in the past decade.
Between 2015 and 2023, child stunting decreased by nearly 9% and undernourishment has decreased from nearly 15% of the population to 11% during the same period, according to the Global Hunger Index. Yet the problem persists.
The root causes of undernutrition in Bangladesh are strongly related to the lack of rights and inclusion. The absence of effective policy implementation, resource mobilization, and financing in public health nutrition programming contributes to the undernutrition. Additionally, cultural norms such as early marriage and traditional childbirth and postpartum practices can lead to health risks during and after pregnancy. Stigma around reproductive health topics and limited access to skilled healthcare professionals restricts access to smart family planning, increasing the negative impact on maternal and child healthcare. This is where Right2Grow steps in.
Right2Grow is a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, including The Hunger Project, and over forty-five local civil society groups. Through community-led programs it is supporting mothers and families with resources to lead a healthier life.
Champa Mondal’s journey is a prime example of how growth monitoring is changing early childhood well-being in Bangladesh.
