The Founder of Project Smile for Humanity Foundation, Comfort Ojo, has called on mothers, prospective mothers, partners and communities to promote breastfeeding as a vital tool for the health and development of women and children.
Ojo made the call during activities marking the World Breastfeeding Week, held from August 1 to 7, at Kaduna State University, Kaduna.
She said the awareness walk organised as part of the commemoration had received encouraging feedback, noting that it also revealed that some people were still unaware of the importance of breastfeeding and the annual observance.
According to her, the awareness campaign was timely as it helped students, mothers and members of the community understand the significance of breastfeeding and healthy nutrition for mothers and babies.
“The walk is timely and it also helps the students, the mothers, to know that August 1st to 7th of August is always celebrated mainly to promote breastfeeding and healthy nutrition for our babies and our mothers and the community at large,” she said.
Ojo appreciated partners who participated in the campaign, urging them to continue supporting initiatives aimed at promoting breastfeeding.
She also encouraged mothers and women who are yet to become mothers to spread awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and ensure that communities understand its value.
She described breastfeeding as a vital tool for the wellbeing, health and development of women and children.
Also speaking on the campaign, some stakeholders - Koni Wendy and Prisca of the Society for Family Health said the awareness exercise was important because many people were previously unaware of the benefits of breastfeeding.
The participant said flyers and other awareness materials used during the campaign provided information on why women should breastfeed their children, including benefits relating to child development and the health of mothers.
The participant further highlighted breastfeeding as beneficial to both mothers and children, including its reported role in helping prevent breast cancer.
The campaign therefore sought to strengthen public understanding of breastfeeding and encourage greater community support for mothers and children.If you want, I can also turn this into a stronger TV/radio news package, with a headline, intro, reporter’s voice-over, and selected interview sound bites (SOTs).