Nutrition Action Zimbabwe (NAZ) has called on the media, government ministries, civil society organisations and development partners to step up efforts to promote breastfeeding as the country joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Breastfeeding Week, observed from August 1 to 7.
NAZ executive director, Tapiwa Magaisa acknowledged that breastfeeding was a shared responsibility that require support from families, communities and policymakers.
"Breastfeeding is not a mother's responsibility alone, it is a collective community investment. To strengthen what works, we must embed support directly within households and villages," he said.
“Our care groups are proving that when mothers receive continuous, localised support, exclusive breastfeeding rates rise, directly reducing malnutrition and childhood mortality."
Magaisa said stronger collaboration among stakeholders is essential to improving infant nutrition and giving every child the best possible start in life.
He noted that NAZ is currently expanding its community-based care group model in Mangwe, Beitbridge, Chipinge, Gokwe North, Mt Darwin, Mbire, Buhera and Tsholotsho to improve exclusive breastfeeding and tackle child malnutrition.
“The peer support networks provide nutrition education, counselling and psychosocial support to caregivers, as well as greater male involvement in maternal and child health,” he said.
The organisation is also integrating nutrition education with household food security and climate-resilient agriculture initiatives to help families provide nutritious complementary foods for children from six months of age.
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NAZ said the integrated approach is strengthening local health systems and empowering village health workers and community leaders to improve maternal and child nutrition, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
The organisation urged all stakeholders to amplify breastfeeding awareness messages, saying sustained collaboration is critical to improving child health and reducing malnutrition across Zimbabwe.
This year's World Breastfeeding Week is running under the theme: "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works."
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