By Ahmed Ahmed
The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) Bauchi Chapter has advocated for the empowerment of women and girls to enhance nutrition status in the State.
Mrs Dabis Mwalike, Secretary of the Coalition, made the call at a news conference on Wednesday in Bauchi to mark the 10th anniversary of CS-SUNN.
She noted the persistent challenge of malnutrition in the country, particularly among women and children.
“The extensive consequences of malnutrition on individuals, communities and the nation’s development,” he said.
She stressed the importance of empowering women and girls to take charge of their nutrition and that of their families, ultimately contributing to the nation’s well-being.
Mwalike noted that inadequate earning power for women reduces productivity and impacts their nutritional status and that of their families.
According to her, CS-SUNN reaffirmed its commitment to mobilising civil society groups and other implementing partners to advocate for and implement activities promoting women’s and girls’ empowerment for optimal nutrition.
She said CS-SUNN was supported to initiate a program that focuses on the nutrition system that looks at several sectors, factors and disciplines interplaying or having one thing or the other contributing to the nutrition system in the State.
“CS-SUNN through its partnership with other implementing partners have recovered 1,825 children under 5 identified with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) in six months in the state.
“4,229, male 2,059, female 2,170 children under 5 identified with SAM and 7,743, male 3661, female 4082 children under 5 identified with MAM.
“Also during implementation 698 healthcare providers were trained across the 20 local government areas of Bauchi, and 202 PHCs established food banks,” Mwalike said.
The Secretary identifies Inadequate funding, Lack of scalability of interventions, Lack of RUTF in the state and referral complications are the challenges of the Coalition.
“Climate and Environmental Factors: Agriculture-focused projects face challenges related to climate variability, soil degradation, water scarcity, and pest infestations, affecting agricultural productivity and livelihoods,” she Said
According to her, CS-SUNN is seeking more support from the LGA to sensitize and change negative perceptions and beliefs lingering on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) by beneficiaries health workers and caregivers.
“We also want to ensure that there is availability of commodities and consumables at the health facilities.
“CS-SUNN has lots of initiatives and innovations but no funds, collaborating with government agencies, NGOs, private sector actors, and community-based organizations allows for leveraging of resources, expertise, and networks to maximize impact and reach.
“We will continue to educate, sensitize and counsel women on the importance of Nutrition to both adults and children to positively change negative norms and improve nutrition-related problems,” the Secretary said.