2009 Global Hunger Index - International Food Policy Research ...

Hellen Auko with her youngest children and husband Enock Omurunga in a Nairobi slum.
This study suggests that nutrition and health knowledge of working
and stay-at-home mothers did not differ substantially, although the
sources of information varied. The ability to translate this knowledge
into practice, however, was influenced by time, access to income and
the level of decision-making power. Lack of money was a specific barrier
for mothers to act on their health/nutrition knowledge. Mothers
with greater access to and control over money could more easily overcome
this barrier.
Two key factors were found to influence substitute care: first,
a majority of mothers said they were only able to give instructions
about how to care for their child if they paid the substitute caregiver.
Remuneration of substitute caregivers, if mothers were financially able
to do so, was felt to both increase motivation and responsibility of substitute
caregivers. Secondly, a mother’s personal relationship with a
substitute carer, especially neighbors and relatives, was considered to
improve child care quality, particularly when the mother could not pay
for the care. While this form of social capital was important, mothers
who were away working faced difficulties maintaining good rapport because
they had less time to interact within their community.
3. Linkages to well-being and child nutrition
The quality of care given to young children has long been recognized
as a key determinant of child health and nutritional status. 7 Mothers’
reports and direct observation of day-care centers confirmed that the
quality of substitute care available in Korogocho was largely poor. Daycare
centers were generally overcrowded and without adequate sanita-
tion or safe play-areas for children. Many day-care workers oversaw
more than ten children under two years of age single-handedly, reducing
time for individual attention, including active and responsive feeding.
Most centers and other substitute carers relied on mothers to
bring food for the children; otherwise they would not eat until the
mother returned. While mothers themselves recognized that these
sub-standard substitute care options compromised their child’s wellbeing,
without alternatives, they were forced to continue to rely on
them.
Conclusions
The study indicates that by earning their own income, working mothers
in Korogocho increased their influence in decisions about purchasing
food, health care, and other essential needs for their children.
However, the increase in resources could not be translated easily into
better nutrition and health because substitute care options available
to working mothers in Korogocho were suboptimal. Mothers staying at
home, however, could provide care, but were limited in their ability to
purchase food, health care, and other essential needs.
2009 Global Hunger Index | Chapter 05 | Women’s Role in Tackling Hunger 33