UNICEF urges mothers to prioritize breastfeeding amid Zimbabwe’s lag in global standards
Providence Moyo
Mothers have been urged to prioritise breast feeding which is one of the most effective ways to ensure children’s health and optimal early childhood development.
In a statement to celebrate the World Breastfeeding Week, UNICEF shared that “breastfeeding provides babies with their immunisation and all the nutrients required for brain development and growth”.
According to the UNICEF, Zimbabwe falls short of global standards by 28% as it stands at 42 % against the Sustainable Development Goal target of atleast 70%. The institution said even if the country has active structures and policies to support and promote infant breastfeeding, scores of Zimbabwean infants are not breastfed.
“Zimbabwe has active structures and policies to promote optimal infant and young child feeding. Nevertheless, many Zimbabwean infants and young children are not breastfed. The 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) report indicates that only two-thirds (59 per cent) of children are breastfed within the first hour after birth. Only 42 per cent of children 0 to 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed. Although more than 80 per cent of children continue to be breastfed at one year, many children stop being breastfed before they reach the recommended 24 months.”
The 2024 World Breastfeeding week ran under the theme “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all,” highlighting the need for multi-level support. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the necessary support could include policies and attitudes that value women and breastfeeding, a women and breastfeeding friendly health care system, respect for women’s autonomy and their right to breastfeed anywhere, anytime, and solidarity and community support.
