SWAT: Speakers in the workshop here on Friday complained that the majority of children and women in rural areas in the region suffered from malnutrition primarily due to poverty and a lack of income opportunities.

The event on food and nutrition security was organised by the Lasoona Organisation with commissioner of Malakand Division Saqib Raza Aslam in attendance as a special guest.

Participants included Lasoona Organisation chief executive officer Azam Khan, deputy director of the education department Gul Raj Khan, and health and nutrition experts Noor Malik and Anwar Ali.

Representatives of the education, health, and agriculture departments in Swat, Shangla, and Kohistan districts, civil society members, health experts, social activists, local elders, and parents also attended the workshop.

The speakers claimed that more than half of the people in Swat, Shangla, and Kohistan districts suffered from malnutrition.

Official Gul Raj highlighted a lack of awareness among rural communities, especially women and children, of nutrition and proper food and sanitation practices.

He said that more and more such activities should be organised to address the issue of malnutrition effectively. The speakers noted that a high incidence of malnutrition was reported in hilly areas like Shangla and Kohistan, affecting not only children and women but men as well.

They urged both nongovernmental organisations and government administrations to play a role in addressing the health issue.

The speakers said that poverty was a significant factor contributing to the rising malnutrition cases, with many people in rural areas having limited employment opportunities and facing joblessness.

They added that it was essential to improve economic conditions to enable households to provide balanced and nutritious diets for themselves and their children.

Malakand commissioner Saqib Raza Aslam expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Lasoona Organisation and its partners in promoting food security and ensuring the better nutrition of children in parts of Swat and Shangla.

He, however, said there was a need for improvements to the project.

The commissioner gave suggestions to the Lasoona Organisation and expressed hope for continued progress in food and nutrition security in the underprivileged areas.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2024