Abstract
Due to swift increase in the rate of women's participation in the labour force, the
provision of mother and child health and nutrition needs to be re-evaluated. Women‘s
participation has been seen as both blessings (symbol of economic empowerment) and
burdens (work burden and health concerns). However, child health and nutrition has
been one of the susceptible issues in contemporary Bangladesh. In this context, the
present study was conducted to measure the extent of women‘s empowerment
attainment and consequent effect on child (under the age of five) nutritional status.
Using stratified random sampling technique, 537 female respondents having under
five year‘s children were selected purposively from eight districts of NW region of
Bangladesh. Individual face-to-face interviews with the respondents were conducted
using a validated structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, Chi square test,
Binomial logistic regression model, Ordinary least square (OLS), and Ordered Logit
model have been used for achieving the objectives. Among all the respondents, 30%
children were found stunted, 14% were underweight and 10% were wasted. Nearly
95% respondents received insufficient antenatal care (ANC) services during their
pregnancy. The study also found that the overall women empowerment is 13%, where
the dimension wise empowerment is of differing extent (self-esteem–36%, access to
and control over resources–24%, attitude and behaviour of husband–48%, decisions
taken in the household matters–19%, and freedom of movement–12%). The study
findings noted that education plays a significant role for the betterment of female
respondents in NW Bangladesh as when level of education of mothers increased, their
self-esteem and access to and control over resources also improved. Access to and
control over resources, positive behaviour of husband, receiving ANC services,
improved sanitation, availability of caregiver, mothers‘ nutrition knowledge, mothers‘
health and living area positively influences child nutritional status whereas child
morbidity and mothers reproductive work negatively influences the same. Based on
the findings, the study suggests some policy recommendations to be formulated at
national level. Specifically, proper governance attention is needed regarding the
working hours of the working mothers and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs
(MOWCA) need to implement quality child day care centre throughout the NorthWest region especially in the workplace for their child. Finally, the study
recommended to put prior focus on ensuring quality education for women and their
children to help them breaking the cycle of poverty and malnutrition.