More than 200 stakeholders from across the region learned how the Stronger With Breastmilk Only initiative is supporting health officials to increase rates of exclusive breastfeeding during webinars in French and English in early December. The webinar presented the regional initiative, including its objectives, tools and resources, and support for national programs.
Addressing the problem of exclusive breastfeeding in West and Central Africa called for a new approach – “business as usual” would not suffice, UNICEF West and Central Africa Nutrition Advisor Simeon Nanama told participants at the 11th Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day global webinar event in October. The new approach is Stronger With Breastmilk Only.
A series of articles published in Le Monde Afrique highlights the importance of exclusive breastfeeding across West Africa and discusses the obstacles to achieving the target of 50% exclusive breastfeeding by 2025.
The “Stronger with breastmilk only” campaign recently got a boost when Safiath, the popular musical artist in Niger, produced a song to support its awareness raising efforts, joining other artists who also produced songs. Read more.
More than 100 stakeholders from across West Africa participated in the first “Stronger With Breastmilk Only” virtual learning and sharing café organized by WHO, UNICEF and Alive & Thrive on Aug. 19.
“The learning café allowed stakeholders to hear about the strategies and objectives of the initiative and learn about the concrete ways countries are implementing and adapting the initiative in the context of COVID 19,” said Manisha Tharaney, Director of Alive & Thrive’s West Africa regional office.
PRESENTATIONS are available here.
Featuring presentations by experts working both in the region and in Burkina Faso and Ghana, the café presented the rationale for the initiative and updates on progress to date.
Anne-Sophie Le Dain, Nutrition Specialist at the UNICEF West and Central Africa Regional Office, provided an overview of the initiative.
“The number one obstacle to exclusive breastfeeding is the tendency to give water to babies,” she noted.
The initiative implements strategic advocacy and social and behavior change activities to address the issue, she said, and places families at the center of its efforts while also engaging communities, health systems, private sector, the public and policymakers to act to support, financially and otherwise, and promote breastfeeding.
Antoinette Valian Tougouma, Nutrition Focal Point for the World Health Organization, Estelle Bambara, Director of the Department of Nutrition at the Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso and Esi Amoaful, Deputy Director, Nutrition Department, Ghana Health Services, also presented their experiences. Nathalie Likhite of Alive & Thrive moderated the discussion.
