Kampala — COUNTRIES with high gender inequality gaps are more likely to have hunger and malnutrition, says a report released by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

The study found out that women's status affects children's nutrition, since women with higher status have better nutritional status themselves, are better cared for and provide higher quality care for their children.

"Equalising men's and women's status in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa would reduce the number of malnourished children by 13.4 million and 1.7 million respectively," the report says.

IFPRI studies in Egypt and Mozambique showed that ensuring mothers finished primary school reduced the proportion of population below the poverty line by 33.7% and 23.2% respectively.

The report recommends that the gender inequality gap can further be reduced by ensuring that women have equal opportunities to economic activities, improving their health and nutrition and political empowerment.