This paper examines the relationship between women’s empowerment and nutritional
status of children. Data from BDHS (2007) and NFHS (2005-06) were used to examine
the role of women’s empowerment in determining child stunting in Eastern India and
Bangladesh. Results revealed that stunting and chronic malnourishment were more
among children in Eastern India than Bangladesh. Severe stunting was also more
prevalent among children of Eastern India as compared with Bangladesh. Mother’s
body mass index, mother’s age, sub-region, community, religion, wealth quintile and
empowerment indicators (mother’s education and decision making power) had
significant association with child stunting. While women’s empowerment played an
important role to reduce child stunting mainly in Bangladesh, education, religion and
sub-region had a strong effect on stunting in Eastern India. Policies related to
educating and economically empowering women in both the regions may facilitate to
improve the nutritional status of children and their health.