Malnutrition is both a cause and effect of gender inequality. In other words, because of gender inequality, girls' nutrition is seen as less of a priority than boys' nutrition. This is why our Girl Powered Nutrition program is so important. In addition to girls learning about nutrition, they are also supported to tackle the root causes of malnutrition. They can do so through the completion of the 'Activity Pack' but also the 'Girl Powered Change Pack' which helps individuals of any age to plan a bigger project of their own. Leaders may also wish to extend their older age group's knowledge and skills through our two-part Advocacy Champion Training.
Nutrition International in partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) to reach nearly half a million girls with nutrition information across Africa and Asia, so they can make healthy food choices – and learn about how good nutrition can help them reach their full potential. Through this program, girls have also become leaders and Advocacy Champions in their own communities and beyond.
Our Vision is healthy and well-nourished girls are able to reach their full potential and are empowered to take action to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition.
Our Girl Powered Nutrition Program supports girls to learn, take action, and speak out.
Girls learn about good nutrition, and from 2017 to 2023, Girl-Powered Nutrition was implemented in 11 regions: Katavi, Shinyanga, Singida, Zanzibar, Ruvuma, Coastal (Bagamoyo, Kisarawe), Arusha, Dodoma, Mara, Tanga, Dar es Salaam, and Lindi. Since the project's inception, 36,182 girls have earned the badge, and 439 leaders have been trained; the national aim is 40000.
Girls take action in their community by planting fruits trees and vegetables and providing nutrition education in their community and schools using the GPN activity pack.
Speak out, Girl- Led advocacy campaign where girls use their voices to influence local, regional, and national changes. We were able to recruit 23 advocacy champions through Girl-Powered Nutrition, who have been trained and will be able to meet with decision-makers. In which the advocacy champion recruited was able to meet with the decision-makers.
22-year-old Valentine is a Tanzanian girl guide who uses her digital media skills to bring awareness to the importance of good nutrition to her community and local Minister of Parliament. Valentine is very passionate about nutrition and helping other girls develop skills and confidence to fight for their rights. “Malnutrition and violation of girls’ rights are some of the persistent challenges in Tanzania, and I am committed to doing what I can to address them,” Said Valentine.
As the regional youth chairperson for the Tanga region and Girl Powered Nutrition advocacy champion. She uses the internet and social media to find information and get to know how other people across the world tackle nutrition challenges.
“I want to end iron deficiency anemia among girls and young women. We need to make sure that girls are prioritized by the government and we need to tackle food taboos in our societies”
Valentine Muhindo- Girl Guide, Tanga Region
In Arusha girls and young women at the age of adolescence develop iron-deficiency anemia because of heavy bleeding during their period, there is a high need to provide correct nutrition information to families and societies with the aim of improving healthy eating habits among girls and young women. I would like to extend my gratitude to Nutrition International and Tanzania Girl Guides Association for bringing the Girl Powered Nutrition to our region we believe that; the provision of correct nutrition information to families and societies’ in Arusha will help to reduce the effects that are brought by poor eating habit and eradicate culture and taboos that tend to make girls and young women’s nutrition poor.
Niceta Morice – Girl Guide, Arusha Region
