The United Nations Assistant Secretary General Ms. Gerda Verburg has hailed Civil Society Alliance for Nutrition Uganda (CISANU) and it’s partners for championing the breastfeeding campaign and nutrition in Uganda.
Ms. Gerda Verburg, who is also the Coordinator of the SUN (Scaling Up Nutrition) Movement, expressed gratitude for what CISANU is doing and extoled their efforts aimed at ending malnutrition in all its forms.
“My respect and huge gratitude for how CISANU is leading on breastfeeding. I applaud CISANU for being a champion for breastfeeding. Breast is best, to give each and every child best start in life. You plus You can support to make sure that adolescents, mothers are well nourished, leading from where you are. Thank you for all excellent actions” Ms Verburg wrote this week.
The UN boss’ comments come after a successful campaign in commemoration of the World Breastfeeding Week, which was 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.
The online campaign, under the hash tag #yourtakeonbreastfeeding, ran from 1st – 7th August 2021 under the theme; “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility,” with an objective to create awareness about the benefits associated with breastfeeding.
Led by youth nutrition Champions recruited and trained by CISANU with support from the Graca Machel Trust (GMT) and Action Against Hunger (ACF), the campaign was to advocate and promote the nutrition agenda globally.
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, said breastmilk is the best food for infants because it is safe and clean, but also contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. He stated that breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that a child needs for the first months of life, and 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. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
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