The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Niger Ministry for Primary Healthcare, has mobilised 1,800 women to promote exclusive breastfeeding in the state.
The Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Kaduna, Gerida Birukila, stated that this initiative aimed to break the world record for the highest number of lactating women breastfeeding simultaneously.
Birukila spoke at a program in Minna to mark the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week.
The theme for the 2024 Breastfeeding Week is: “Closing the Gap, Break the Record, Break Barriers: Breastfeeding Support for All.”
World Breastfeeding Week, commemorated annually from August 1 to 7, raises awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and provides support to mothers.
Birukila, represented by the UNICEF Consultant in Niger, Mrs. Grace Odeyemi said the event aimed to create awareness and dismantle the stigma surrounding breastfeeding.
“We are challenging harmful norms and practices, such as the introduction of water and other pre-lacteal feeds for babies in the first six months. We are here to empower mothers with the knowledge and support to make the best choices for their children’s health, including approval for extended paid six months maternity leave,” she said.
She added that the effort was to achieve the World Health Assembly’s target for its exclusive practice and to surpass the 50 percent target.
In her address, the Wife of the Niger Governor, Fatima Bago advocated for implementing policies that would help mothers balance their needs and daily responsibilities.
Bago, represented by the Wife of the Niger SSG, Jummai Abubakar donated 100 bags of rice to the first batch of 100 women to support them and their families.
The Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Bello Turku highlighted the event’s importance in showcasing the need to improve support for mothers to practice it optimally.
He urged mothers to breastfeed their infants exclusively for the first six months of life to improve child nutrition.
One of the mothers, Saratu Usman, pledged to educate other mothers in her community on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
