Explain the Nutrition of Women during Pregnancy?
During the post-war years, the people in the developed world recognized that women were at a disadvantaged position and felt the need to improve their condition. The technical advances (such as birth control) and the labour-saving technological means (which helped to free the women from drudgery and gave adequate time for self- development) helped in the emancipation of women. The year 1975, known also as the "International Women's Year" was devoted to promote equality between men and women. The decade 1976-1985 is also designated as the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace.
In contrast to this, the majority of women in developing countries have inferior social status to men. They have less educational opportunities than men in the same society. The global literacy rates for adult female population are only 32% as against 52% for men; this gap is much wider in Asia and also Africa. Sex discrimination in nutrition and health care appears to increase the vulnerability of female children to infectious diseases. Female children receive less nutritional and health care with consequent higher mortality rate. Women in many developing countries face social and cultural disadvantage in terms of health, nutrition, education and economic status compared to women in developed countries, as well as, men in their own societies. Half-a-million women die annually of causes related to delivery, and most of these are preventable.