C-WINS Participation in World Breastfeeding Week 2024: Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding Support for All.
Introduction to World Breastfeeding Week:
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is an annual global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the vital importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of infants and mothers. Held from August 1st to 7th, WBW brings together stakeholders from around the world to promote and support breastfeeding practices. The 2024 campaign, themed “Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding Support for All,” emphasizes the need to bridge gaps in breastfeeding support, ensuring that every mother, regardless of her circumstances, receives the assistance she needs to successfully breastfeed. This theme is aligned with global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, well-being, and equality.
C-WINS’ Role and Activities during World Breastfeeding Week 2024:
The Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS), a leading independent organization dedicated to advancing well-being through policy, research, and practice, partnered with the Federal Ministry of Health, Social Welfare, and other nutrition stakeholders to amplify the message of exclusive breastfeeding during WBW 2024. Our involvement was structured across three distinct phases, each designed to maximize impact and community engagement.
Pre-WBW (29th-31st July 2024):
In the lead-up to WBW, C-WINS spearheaded a robust awareness campaign across social media platforms, building anticipation for the week’s events. The campaign focused on the critical importance of closing the gap in breastfeeding support, particularly in underserved communities. Targeted messaging using hashtags such as #2024WBWNg and #BreastfeedingSupportForAll helped generate interest and foster participation. Our efforts were aimed at raising public awareness about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and the role of community support in ensuring healthy outcomes for mothers and infants.
WBW (1st – 7th August 2024):
During the official week, C-WINS conducted a series of activities that highlighted the importance of breastfeeding support. A key event was the Community and Religious Sensitization Engagement held in Abuja, where Team Lead for C-WINS, Ndidichukwu Odoh, emphasized the need for exclusive breastfeeding to protect and promote the health of both mother and child. She underscored the crucial role of Ward Development Committee Leads in disseminating the breastfeeding message at the grassroots level. C-WINS engaged with these community leaders to ensure the message of exclusive breastfeeding reached households, women’s groups, and youth groups across various communities. The week culminated in a major sensitization event involving fathers, mothers, and community representatives from various parts of Abuja, including AMAC, Gwagwalada, Karshi, Abaji, Karu, and Nyanya. The highlight of this event was held at the Central Mosque in Abuja, where the sermon for the day focused entirely on breastfeeding activities. Following the sermon, a large-scale sensitization program was conducted for mothers and women’s groups who were present.
Impact of Proper Breastfeeding:
Proper breastfeeding has far-reaching benefits that extend beyond individual health. For infants, breastfeeding provides essential nutrients and antibodies that protect against infections, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and supports optimal growth and development. For mothers, breastfeeding lowers the risk of certain cancers and contributes to faster postpartum recovery. At the community level, increased breastfeeding rates lead to better public health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and lower child mortality rates. By closing the gap in breastfeeding support, C-WINS is working to ensure that these benefits are accessible to all mothers and children, regardless of their socio-economic background.
Community and Religious Sensitization Engagement:
A standout event was the sensitization engagement in Abuja, where community and religious leaders were brought together to discuss the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Ndidichukwu Odoh, C-WINS’ Media & Communication Lead, highlighted the crucial role of Ward Development Committee Leads in spreading the breastfeeding message at the grassroots level. She stressed the importance of engaging these leaders to ensure that the message reaches the women who need it most. The engagement was well-received, with key figures like the Deputy Chief Imam of Nyanya Central Mosque, Mohammed Mahmud, pledging to disseminate the information within their communities.
Partnership and Collaboration:
C-WINS’ collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, Social Welfare, and other nutrition partners demonstrated the power of collective action in addressing public health challenges. Our joint efforts ensured that the message of breastfeeding support was amplified across multiple platforms and reached a wide audience.
Conclusion:
C-WINS’ participation in World Breastfeeding Week 2024 underscores our commitment to promoting breastfeeding as a cornerstone of child health and well-being. Through our activities, we have made significant strides in closing the gap in breastfeeding support, ensuring that mothers receive the guidance and resources they need to give their children the best possible start in life. As we look to the future, C-WINS remains dedicated to advocating for inclusive policies and practices that empower mothers and create healthier communities.
