Women and girls have unique nutritional requirements throughout the life cycle—especially during adolescence, before and during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding. In particular, the nutritional vulnerability of mothers is the greatest during the 1,000 days between pregnancy and a child’s second birthday, which is a critical period of growth and development. USAID’s investments seek to protect nutrition throughout the lifecycle to ensure that all women and children are well-nourished and able to live healthy and productive lives.