Many women in Odisha are not allowed to partake certain foods during pregnancy and after they start lactating. Krushna Chandra Barik, who works on maternal health and nutrition, has encountered this problem in several districts, writes Deepanwita Gita Niyogi
Geeta Das, a Bathudi tribal woman, is a resident of Bhagamunda village in Harichandanpur block of Keonjhar, a district in Odisha impacted by mining. Even today across its several villages women face restrictions when it comes to dietary habits during pregnancy.
Das, who has been married for 18 years and has two children, said it is a common practice to deny women mutton, jackfruit and mushrooms when they are with child. There is a perception that if these food items are consumed, the health of the unborn baby will be impacted.
Many women, especially belonging to tribal communities of Odisha, are not allowed to partake certain foods during pregnancy and after they start lactating. Krushna Chandra Barik, who works on maternal health and nutrition as a consultant, said he has encountered this grave issue in Kalahandi, Koraput and Mayurbhanj districts too. “Besides shocking practices revolving around the dietary habits of pregnant women and lactating mothers, primitive tribes like the Juangs face problems when it comes to food accessibility. This is true more in the case of women,” he said.
The government has several programmes to take care of the dietary needs of pregnant women but Barik considers these as flawed. He added that many pregnant women and lactating mothers take home dry ration distributed under the Integrated Child Development Services. But instead of eating themselves, the food items are distributed among family members and the actual beneficiaries remain deprived.
Along with restrictions placed on food consumption and what not to eat during pregnancy, this practice also impacts women’s health in rural areas. Sattu, a type of pulse flour which is usually given as part of dry ration, is given away to cattle in the hope of getting more milk. Sattu is rich in protein and should be consumed by women.
Dietary restrictions
Researcher Delliswararao Konduru from the Department of Anthropology at Pondicherry University pointed out many restrictions pertaining to food originated to protect women in the old days but are now unscientific and prejudiced in nature.
He said that avoiding certain foods like fish, mushrooms and pumpkins can lead to nutritional disorders and even anaemia in pregnant women. Certain varieties of mushrooms are rich in iron and avoidance during pregnancy affects women’s health.
