Last Updated on: 10th September 2024, 10:44 am
The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) has started a new initiative, SOPRAN, to improve adolescent girls’ nutritional health. This project provides essential dietary supplements and promotes better eating habits to help girls cope with environmental and physical challenges. The program will initially be implemented in seven important districts of Pakistan and expanded across the country as momentum builds.
SOPRAN Project Launched Under BISP
On Monday, the Steering Committee of the National Adolescent Girls Nutrition Project met for the first time under the BISP effort. Chaired by Naveed Akbar, Director General of BISP (NSER/CCT), the meeting focused on the SOPRAN project, which uses social protection programs to improve the nutrition of adolescent girls. This project empowers these girls and allows them to influence positive change in their families by promoting better nutrition and communication. BenazirKafaalat.pk
Key Participants in the Benazir SOPRAN Project
Key project participants include representatives from GIZ, Nutrition International, CERP, provincial education and health departments, food authorities, and various national and international partners.
Why the SOPRAN Project is Important for the Health of Adolescent Girls?
During the meeting, Naveed Akbar stressed the urgent need to address the widespread malnutrition among adolescent girls in Pakistan. With more than half of these girls suffering from Anaemia and many suffering from other micronutrient deficiencies, this program is expected to have a significant impact. The project integrates nutrition into social protection efforts by providing iron and folic acid supplements and promoting collaboration between the health, education, and social protection sectors.
Also Read: BISP to Register 1.7 Million Women Through the Nashonuma Program Within the Next 2 Years
BISP SOPRAN Project Started in Seven Districts of the Country
The BISP SOPRAN project will start in the following seven districts:
The project will focus on community-led behaviour change initiatives, access to fortified foods, and comprehensive nutrition education in these areas.
Essential Discussions on SOPRAN Project Objectives
Dr. Franz von Roenne from GIZ and other partners presented the project objectives, including providing iron and folic acid supplements, improving wheat flour’s nutritional quality, and strengthening local nutrition actors’ capacity, health, and education. Discussions also focused on sustainably integrating nutritional supplements into local food systems. Naveed Akbar concluded the meeting by emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration and coordination at the district and provincial levels to ensure the project’s success.
Also Read: 9.3 Million Beneficiaries to Benefit from BISP Sahulat Accounts Under SBP Payment Framework
Last Words
The SOPRAN project, started by BISP, aims to improve the nutrition of adolescent girls in seven districts of Pakistan. The project combats malnutrition and empowers young women to create positive change in their communities by providing nutritional supplements and promoting healthier eating habits.