CEDAW Shadow Report  2011  only slightly over the past years. Anemia is one of the important problems women are facing as 39% of the women aged 15-49 are anemic. The government data did not provide any clues regarding the particular age groups in which women are anemic because this would help to find out at what time of their life women generally start with iron deficiency. According to NDHS (2006), the study on food consumed by mothers shows that 97% of the mothers eat food made of grains, 72% eat food made of tubers or roots, 54%eat food made from legumes and 65% of them eat food rich in Vitamin A that includes locally grown food and vegetables like pumpkin, carrot, spinach, mango, papaya etc. The percentage of mothers who eat meat, fish, poultry and eggs are only 30% and only small proportion (23%) of women eat milk and milk products. This data shows that there lies a big gap between the women who get to eat the nourished food and those who get to eat only grains and tubers. The causes and consequences of anemia are basically as follows (National Nutrition Policy and Strategy, 2004): • • • • • • Inadequate intake of iron from daily diets Inadequate absorption of dietary iron Infestations such as hookworms and malaria High requirements of iron particularly during growth and pregnancy Blood loss (menstruation and injury) Vitamin A deficiency And the consequences of anemia are: • Impaired human function at all stages of life • Impaired work performances, endurance and productivity • Increased risks of maternal morbidity and mortality • Increased risks of sickness and death A major challenge concerning women’s health is the lack of control power over their own bodies. Men still hold the reigns. The social construct, culture, and power relations based on patriarchal beliefs and practices are huge stumbling blocks on the way to attain health rights by women. Women are still considered dependant; their dependency over men –father, husband or father-in-law to access health information and services is a hurdle. Many women are still deprived of full meals (Beijing +5 National Consultation, 2009). The article 12 of CEDAW states that the State parties shall ensure appropriate services to women regarding adequate nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is in contrary to the common sense that women need nutritious food throughout their life as they have to undergo various periods in their life like menstruation, menopause, etc. apart from pregnancy and lactating periods. 9  Beyond Beijing Committee, Kathmandu, Nepal