Nutri-EQUAL “Promoting Good Nutrition and Nurturing Young Minds Toward an Equal Future”
Good nutrition is essential for young people. Eating too little, eating too much and not eating the right nutrients can affect school performance and healthy development. Eating well and doing enough exercise as a child or teenager contributes to life-long good health.
A girl needs to be healthy and well-nourished if she is to reach her full potential, yet girls are disproportionately affected by poor nutrition.
Gender inequality, poverty and lack of access to education means that adolescent girls are more likely to suffer from nutritional deficiencies and twice as likely to die from malnutrition than boys. Every year 1 billion girls will not reach their full educational, development and economic potential due to malnutrition [Global Nutrition Report, 2020].
On 20 May 2022, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in collaboration with the Youth and United Nations Global Alliance (YUNGA) organized the Nutri-EQUAL Lab as part of the Education Track of the World Food Forum, to educate children about how healthy and well-nourished girls are able to reach their full potential and with the right knowledge, confidence and support can be empowered to take action to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition.
- The lab was co-created with WAGGGS Girl Powered Nutrition- Advocacy Champions
The Nutri-Equal Lab was held virtually over Zoom with 2 girl guide groups from Philippines and from Pakistan. The Lab introduced the basic facts about sustainable nutrition and gender equality and showed some practical ways to bring change in children’s individual behaviour and in their community in relation to nutrition.
- Screenshot of the Lab held over Zoom
The lab had many interactive activities involving participants in heated discussions live and in the chat, including the breakout groups session where girls discussed food production and consumption systems in their local communities, and even a Nutri quiz bee.
- Quiz and breakout group discussion activities during the lab
The Lab also introduced the YUNGA Nutrition Challenge Badge, which helps children learn how to follow a healthy diet and develop good eating habits. The booklet also explains the impacts of everyone’s food choices on the wider world, and how to shop and cook in a more environmentally friendly way. Finally, the Badge gives ideas about how youth can take action to make sure they and those around them can lead healthy and environmentally responsible lives.
The Lab also highlighted Girl Powered Nutrition resource, developed by WAGGGS and already piloted in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania and the Philippines, which helps young girls to learn how good nutrition helps them stay happy and healthy.