The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Niger State Ministry for Primary Healthcare, has mobilized 1,800 women to promote exclusive breastfeeding in an effort to break the world record for the highest number of lactating women breastfeeding simultaneously.
Gerida Birukila, Chief of Field Office for UNICEF Kaduna, highlighted this initiative during a program in Minna to mark the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week. The event, themed “Closing the Gap, Break the Record, Break Barriers: Breastfeeding Support for All,” aims to raise awareness on the importance of breastfeeding and provide support to mothers from August 1 to August 7.
Represented by Mrs. Grace Odeyemi, a UNICEF consultant in Niger, Birukila stated that the event seeks to challenge harmful norms and practices, such as introducing water and other pre-lacteal feeds during a baby’s first six months. The initiative also advocates for extending paid maternity leave to six months to support breastfeeding mothers.
“Our goal is to empower mothers with the knowledge and support they need to make the best choices for their children’s health, and to surpass the World Health Assembly’s target of 50% exclusive breastfeeding,” Birukila said.
In her address, Hajiya Fatima Bago, Wife of the Niger State Governor, emphasized the importance of policies that help breastfeeding mothers balance their needs with daily responsibilities. Represented by Hajiya Jummai Abubakar, Wife of the Niger State Secretary to the Government, Bago donated 100 bags of rice to support the first batch of 100 women participating in the initiative.
Dr. Bello Turku, Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, underscored the need to enhance support for mothers practicing optimal breastfeeding, urging them to exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first six months to ensure better child nutrition.
One of the participating mothers, Malama Saratu Usman, pledged to educate other mothers in her community on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
