Manend Team 
LASBELA, (MANEND NEWS): To celebrate the International Women’s
Day, WFP, in partnership with the Government, has organized more
than 20 events across Pakistan under this year’s theme, Women in
Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.
In Balochistan, in collaboration with the government, partners and
communities, WFP has been supporting the most vulnerable people to
get through the pandemic. In districts Lasbela and Panjgur, WFP has
assisted 6,987 vulnerable households, out of which 4,937 households
have received Rs. 7,500 per month for six months under the
unconditional cash transfer programme; and 2,050 households have
received an essential food basket. The support has helped poor
households, especially women and children, meet the basic food and
nutritional needs.
During a visit to projects in Lasbela District, WFP Country Director
Chris Kaye observed; “Hunger and malnutrition is on the rise across
the world as COVID-19 is compounding vulnerability of the most
marginalized. The situation in Pakistan is no different and it is women
who are disproportionately affected and are expected to carry the
burden. In 2020, WFP assisted 2 million Pakistani people suffering
from hunger and malnutrition, 55% of whom were women/girls.”
Addressing the frontline female health workers at the site a newly
established Nashonuma Facilitation Centre at Jam Ghulam Qadir
Government Hospital Hub Lasbela in Balochistan, the WFP Country
Director applauded the tireless efforts of the female doctors and
nurses in the COVID-19 pandemic response. “The contributions made
by frontline health workers have been instrumental in the country’s
fight against the pandemic. While serving their communities, they put
their own health and wellbeing at risk. This Women’s Day, let’s
recognize their sacrifices and applaud their dedication and
achievements” he declared.
As the implementing partner for the Government’s Ehsaas Stunting
Prevention Project, WFP is supporting the establishment of Nashonuma
Facilitation Centers to help combat chronic malnutrition (stunting) in
women and children. By the end of February 2021, 50 facilitation
centers will be operational across 10 districts in Azad Jammu &
Kashmir (AJK), Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Sindh and Punjab.
The centers will provide pregnant and lactating women training on
breast feeding, hygiene practices, immunization, antenatal/postnatal
care and the importance of diversified and nutritious diets. The woman
will receive locally produced specialized nutritious food to boost the
nutritional status for themselves and for their babies.
The WFP team also met with the local women beneficiaries in Uthal
Village in district Lasbela. The women spoke about how WFP’s
assistance had helped them overcome the burden caused by COVID-
19 and enabled them to access the food needed to support their
families.
Supporting women is essential element in the fight against hunger and
poverty. When women and girls have better access to education,
information, resources, services, decision-making and economic
opportunities, the result is increased food security and improved
nutrition for themselves, their families, their communities and their
country. WFP is committed to playing a role in promoting equal and
meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes at all
levels.
