New Recipes Empower Mothers to Fight Malnutrition in Sindh

Turning the Tide Against Malnutrition in Sindh’s Villages

A Silent Crisis in Rural Sindh Despite being home to Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub, Sindh’s rural districts like Sujawal face alarming rates of child malnutrition. Nearly half of children under five are malnourished, and one in five suffers from severe wasting. Poor sanitation, repeated infections, and lack of clean water compound the crisis, leaving children with visible bones and swollen bellies.

Empowering Mothers Through Nutrition Education UNICEF-supported cooking classes are transforming lives by teaching mothers how to prepare nutritious meals using affordable ingredients. Semolina (sooji), costing just 50 rupees per week per child, has become a staple in these new diets. Lentils, beans, chicken offal, and boiled bones are introduced as accessible protein sources.

Real Stories of Change Mothers like Shahnaz and Kulsoom, once reliant on potatoes and flatbread, now use semolina and lentils to nourish their children. Shahnaz’s daughter is recovering from malnutrition, while Kulsoom—pregnant with her sixth child—has learned the importance of dietary variety. Bakhtawar Kareem, who lost a child to anaemia, now prepares meals that offer hope for her surviving daughter.

Breaking the Cycle with Simple Solutions The core issue is lack of dietary diversity. Meat is rare, but low-cost alternatives are available. By teaching practical cooking methods—like avoiding frying vegetables to preserve nutrients—nutritionists are helping families make lasting changes.

Scaling Impact Across Sindh Over 3,500 mothers have benefited from these sessions. Experts stress that expanding awareness is vital in a province where early marriages, frequent pregnancies, and weak health systems deepen the malnutrition crisis.

Conclusion: A Spoonful of Hope Each bowl of semolina or lentils represents more than food—it’s a step toward healthier growth, stronger bodies, and brighter futures for Sindh’s children.