Women This Week: Heightened Levels of Malnutrition for Women and Children

Malnutrition Reported in Afghanistan 

This week, the World Food Programme warned that severe malnutrition is affecting women and children in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban returned to power nearly three years ago, the number of malnutrition cases in the country has tripled. Ten percent of children under the age of five are undernourished, and 45 percent are stunted in growth. This rise is attributed to significantly reduced levels of humanitarian aid entering the country. Women are also facing significant risks. Mona Shaikh, the head of the malnutrition department at the World Food Programme in Afghanistan, said that the organization had estimated that 800,000 pregnant and lactating women would experience malnourishment; however, the estimate has increased to 1.2 million. Mishro, a nurse at a malnutrition ward, noted a decline in the mental health of women in the country, worsening the effects of malnutrition. “For women who are malnourished, the situation is not good in 50 percent of the cases,” she said.  

Sexual Violence Reported in the Darien Gap 

In a report released this week, Human Rights Watch urged Colombia and Panama to increase protections for migrants who are vulnerable to sexual violence when crossing the Darien Gap. The report alleges that neither country is adequately investigating abuses or implementing policies to improve the safety of the route, which is notable for its natural hazards and challenging terrain. Criminal groups also operate in the area. Since 2021, over 1,300 people have reported incidents of sexual violence to Médecins Sans Frontières, or Doctors Without Borders, “Whatever the reason for their journey, migrants and asylum seekers crossing the Darién Gap are entitled to basic safety and respect for their human rights along the way,” said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. 

Arizona State to Implement Abortion Ban from 1864 

The Supreme Court in Arizona has ruled that an abortion law from 1864 is eligible to be applied to the state following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. The law includes no exceptions for rape or incest and only permits an exception when the mother’s life is in jeopardy. The court also suggested the medical professionals could be prosecuted, overturning an earlier decision by a lower court that doctors could not be charged for providing abortions within the first fifteen weeks of pregnancy. Doctors speculate that women who obtain abortion pills could also be prosecuted under the law. Following the decision, Democratic members of the Arizona House, along with at least one Republican, attempted to open a discussion to repeal the ban but were shut down twice by the majority GOP leaders, who then adjourned for the week. The ruling is to be argued at a lower court over its constitutionality before taking effect. “This feels like a cataclysm,” said Dr. Julie Kwatra, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Scottsdale, to the New York Times. “The Dobbs decision was a shock, and even if people were not entirely comfortable with the 15 weeks, there was a feeling that Arizona dodged a bullet,” she said. “Now, no. We did not dodge the bullet.”