Empowering Communities for Better Nutrition: The CASCADE Project

Introduction

Under the Catalyzing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience (CASCADE) Project, CARE International in Uganda, in partnership with YAWE Foundation, has taken significant steps to address malnutrition in the Tooro region. By focusing on community-driven change, the project aims to improve food security and nutritional practices in a region that, despite being a food basket for the country, suffers from a high stunting rate of 38.7% (UDHS 2022).

Training and Empowerment

As part of the CASCADE Project, 39 key community resourceful persons received training on Maternal, Infant, and Young Child and Adolescent Nutrition (MIYCAN) and Social Analysis and Action (SAA). This training is designed to catalyze a community-owned change process, challenging restrictive norms that hinder good nutrition practices. These newly trained ambassadors of change will now facilitate community-led actions to promote better nutrition, challenging social, gender, cultural, and power norms that have been barriers to progress.

Goals and Impact

The CASCADE Project targets to improve food security and reduce malnutrition in Uganda, particularly in the regions where malnutrition rates are highest: the Southwest (Tooro Region), Northern Uganda (Acholi Region), and Northeast (Karamoja Region). The project aims to impact at least 1 million women of reproductive age, ensuring that they have access to better nutrition and healthier diets.

Through community-led initiatives, the project not only addresses immediate nutritional needs but also promotes long-term sustainability by fostering an environment where good nutrition practices can thrive. This holistic approach ensures that the benefits of the project will continue to be felt long after the initial interventions.

Conclusion

The CASCADE Project, through its innovative approach and strong community involvement, represents a significant step forward in the fight against malnutrition in Uganda. By empowering community members to lead the change, the project fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, ensuring that the impact of the interventions is both profound and lasting. As these ambassadors of change begin their work, there is hope that the high stunting rates in Tooro and other regions will significantly decline, paving the way for healthier futures for millions of Ugandans.

Tags: #Nutrition #CommunityEmpowerment #CASCADEProject #FoodSecurity #Uganda #YAWEFoundation #CAREInternational #HealthyDiets #SustainableDevelopment