## Study on Women’s Financial Inclusion and Child Nutrition in Rwanda: A Summary
Background: Child undernutrition remains a significant global health issue, notably in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) like Rwanda, contributing to mortality, impaired progress, and long-term economic consequences. While Rwanda has made progress, 33% of children under five are stunted, with higher rates in rural areas. Financial inclusion – access to and use of financial services – is increasingly recognized as a key factor in improving food security and household decision-making,positively impacting child nutrition.
Problem: Despite Rwanda’s investments in financial inclusion and nutrition policies, the link between women’s financial empowerment and child nutritional outcomes remains underexplored. Existing gaps in women’s financial access (e.g.,lower rates of commercial loans and bank account ownership compared to men) and reliance on informal savings groups may affect household food security and child nutrition.
Study Objective: This study investigates the relationship between women’s financial inclusion (both formal and informal mechanisms) and children’s nutritional status in Rulindo District, rwanda. The goal is to provide insights for more integrated economic and nutrition policies.
Methods:
- Design: Cross-sectional study conducted in February 2024.
- Setting: Rulindo District,Rwanda (selected for high poverty and undernutrition rates),specifically Mbogo Sector.
- Population: Women residing in Mbogo Sector with at least one child under five years old (N=1,482 eligible women).
- Sample Size: 315 women, determined using Taro Yamane’s formula, and distributed across four cells within the sector.
- Data Collection:
- Structured questionnaire (translated into Kinyarwanda and digitized using KoBoCollect) assessing child nutrition, socio-demographics, and women’s financial inclusion.
- Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, MUAC) using standardized equipment.
- Review of children’s vaccination cards for age verification.
- Data Analysis: data analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0. WHO Anthro software used to calculate z-scores for height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age. Malnutrition defined using WHO standards (stunting: HFA z-score < -2 SD, wasting: WHZ z-score < -2 SD).
Results & Findings: The study, conducted in February 2024 in the Mbogo Sector of rulindo District, Rwanda, aimed to determine the correlation between women’s financial inclusion and the nutritional status of their children under five. Researchers surveyed 315 women,selected from a pool of 1,482 eligible participants using Taro yamane’s formula.Data collected included information on financial access, socio-demographics, and detailed anthropometric measurements of the children – height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC).Vaccination cards were reviewed to confirm ages. Analysis using WHO Anthro software and SPSS revealed the prevalence of malnutrition, defined by WHO standards as stunting (height-for-age z-score below -2 SD) and wasting (weight-for-height z-score below -2 SD).
Conclusion & Implications: While specific results regarding the strength of the correlation are not detailed here, the study’s methodology provides a robust framework for understanding the complex relationship between women’s financial empowerment and child nutrition in Rwanda.The findings are expected to inform policy recommendations aimed at strengthening integrated economic and nutrition interventions. The research highlights the importance of addressing financial barriers faced by women to improve household food security and ultimately, the health and well-being
