(P12-004-24) Strengthening Multisectoral Nutrition Program: Evidence and Lessons Learned for Establishing Nutrition Governance Through Policy Implications in Bangladesh

Objectives: Exploring the potentiality of multisectoral approach focusing on strengthening nutrition governance to generate evidence for scaling up actions, appropriate utilization of resources and recommendation to policy makers.

Methods: Documented and analysed multisectoral nutrition coordination committee activities in two districts (Khulna and Barishal) and 18 sub-districts according to indicators set by Multisectoral Minimum Nutrition Package, conducted desk review of the workplans, analyzed the participation and meeting minutes to track progress.; undertook KII with the key members from multisectoral platform to understand their perspective on the nutrition governance in sub-national level.

Results: Sectoral coordination has been increased. Capacity building of the multisectoral platform members and creating partnership among stakeholders were evident. The engagement of civil society appeared to be important for making multisectoral nutrition action plan in local context. Awareness on roles and accountability has been observed. Women empowerment through income generation activities and extending coverage of social security programs also contributed. Linkage has been established among sub-national and central committees. Active participation during planning process aligning with the national plan and targets has been found. Monitoring system has been developed which helps tracking the physical and financial progress. Improved community participation and partnership among the different stakeholders has been observed. However, resource allocation, spending efficiency and prioritizing nutrition indicators in nutrition sensitive activities of different sectors found inadequate.

Conclusions: To realize changing dimensions of malnutrition, existing policies and 3M approach adopted can be reviewed to address the multisectoral determinants of malnutrition. Fostering inclusive sub-national nutrition planning, develop national nutrition data repository, increase sectoral and community participatory approach along with development partners, capacity building, appropriate resource allocation, increase efficiency and establishing a functional online monitoring system at all levels have been found to be crucial.

Funding Sources: USAID’s Multisectoral Nutrition Project, FHI 360