Nearly a year after starting a programme to train rural women in nutrition, taking care of themselves and their families, and gradually improving their income, Nestle Viet Nam plans to expand it to more localities.

Some 800 women in 120 communes in six northern provinces -- Thai Binh, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Hung Yen, and Ninh Binh – have taken part in the “NEST Sisters” programme that Nestle is carried out in collaboration with the Women’s Union.

Women in rural areas play an important role in agricultural production and contribute a great deal to the family income.

But due to their limited access to information on healthcare and nutrition along with a heavy workload and nutritional deficiencies, their health is modest.

Under the programme, through provincial units of the Women’s Union and commune units of the Women’s Association, the company is building a women’s group called “NEST Sisters”, whose members are taught about nutrition, healthcare, and nutritious products. They in turn take this knowledge to other women and households in their commune.

Dang Thi Huyen, deputy chairwoman of the Women’s Union in Cong Hoa Commune, Nam Sach District, Hai Duong Province, said her unit started implementing the programme last year and it has helped them understand more about quality products for their families.

The company plans to expand the programme to 21 provinces and cities across the countries, hoping to bring another 2,500 women in 400 communes into it. — VNS