The Sri Lanka Women’s Conference (SLWC) said that it is extremely perturbed with the findings of the Demographic and Health Survey 2007, which has been published in the website of The Department of Census and Statistics.

The results of this survey show that the nutritional status of children below 5 years of age seems to be worse than it was 5 years ago, when a similar survey was carried out in the year 2000. It is well known that children below 5 years of age are the best reflection of the nutritional status of the general population, SLWC said in a statement.

According to the findings of this survey, stunting or short height is 18%, a 4% increase from the last survey. Also 16% or one in six children are too thin. What is most worrying though is the fact that the percentage of children who are born below the required birth weight of 2.5 kg seem to be stagnant. It is well known that the outcome of pregnancy is a reflection of the low nutritional status of the mother, it noted.

"We are concerned that this situation will further deteriorate with the escalating cost of living during the past year, after the survey. As it is well known when any crisis occurs, women and children are the worst affected."

As the oldest and largest umbrella of women’s organizations, SLWC urged the government to make a concerted effort to arrest this situation and to put in place a multi-pronged initiative to improve the nutritional status of especially women and children and the general population as a whole.

"SLWC will keep a close watch on this situation, and is willing to assist the government and other stakeholders, in any way possible," the statement signed by Ms. Ranee Ratnayake, President, SLWC, noted.