By Kabuye Ronald
The United Nations Assistant Secretary General (UNASG) and the Coordinator of the SUN (Scaling Up Nutrition) Movement Ms. Gerda Verburg has hailed Civil Society Alliance for Nutrition Uganda (CISANU) together with partners for championing a Breastfeeding campaign in commemoration of the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) Which ran from 1st – 7th August 2021 under the theme; “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”.
The campaign under the hash tag #yourtakeonbreastfeeding was led by Youth Nutrition Champions recruited and trained by CISANU with support from the Graca Machel Trust (GMT) and Action Against Hunger (ACF) to advocate and promote the nutrition agenda globally.
According to the press statement issued CISANU, the campaign aimed at creating awareness about the benefits associated with breastfeeding.
The campaign was successful since It attracted a variety of participants from across Africa who shared their messages on breastfeeding, encouraging for its protection and support.
The campaign was also part of CISANU’s activities aimed at compelling every employer to provide safe breastfeeding spaces at the work place and supporting the practice in Uganda.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, nearly 2 out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended first six (6) months a rate that has not improved in 2 decades.
CISANU Convener, Mr. Richard Baguma says breast milk is the best food for infants because it is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses.
He also asserts that it provides all the energy and nutrients that a child needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide a child’s nutritional needs during the second year of life.
UNICEF recognizes that breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life.
It also states that Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
