Exclusive Breastfeeding: NAWOJ Partners Gift Health and Development Initiative, Takes Advocacy to Wumba

By Ada Nkong

In a bid to encourage more women to key into the healthy practice of exclusive breast feeding, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in partnership with Gift Health and Development Initiative Friday held an outreach at Wumba in the FCT.

The advocacy started with a visit to the village head of Wumba by the FCT chairperson and her team. He welcomed the team and assured them of cooperation towards a successful advocacy.

Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, National president NAWOJ speaking at the event, charged women to Breastfeed new born with breast milk only for the first 6 months  before introducing other food as it contains everything the baby needs for growth and development.

She also urged the women  to  continue the Breastfeeding for at least 2 years as breast milk is an immune booster and helps babies resist diseases and infections.

While appreciating guests, resource persons, Ministry of Health, Gift Health and Development Initiative, for their commitment of the resources and time dedicated to ensuring that the event is a huge success, she called on employers to create Creches within their work spaces to enable Mothers continue with the breastfeeding process while at work as Breast Milk has proven to be a life saver as the benefits outweigh artificial milk and infant formulas.

Comrade Aisha Ibrahim  also urged the Women to maintain personal hygiene and  keep their brassieres clean at all times.

She further commended NAWOJ FCT, for the painstaking diligence, commitment to actualizing one of the missions of NAWOJ in the area of timely and properly planned advocacies tailored to the growing needs of women, the girl-child,  and family institutions alike.

She specifically Commended the VP Zone D, Zonal Officers, Chairperson FCT, Bassey Ita Ikpang, Executives and members.

” I praise your effort and task you to continue relentlessly in this service to humanity,  the empowerment of women is a necessity which no one, no organized system, no government should shy away from. In NAWOJ, we believe that an empowered woman is a woman fully equipped to nurture herself as well as nurture others”.

“Hence, our association all across the states of the federation has been taking deliberate steps to ensure that women empowerment is part of the efforts we make in order to give women a place in the society”.

She said NAWOJ trains, educates women through seminars and workshops and empowers them to be productive personalities as well as advocates for women inclusion in governance.

Earlier in her welcome address the Chairperson NAWOJ FCT Chapter,Comrade Bassey  Ikpang noted that ” we gather to discuss and champion two critical issues that are deeply interwoven, the empowerment of women and the promotion of breastfeeding”.

According to her, “these two elements are not just vital to the health and well-being of our society, but are also fundamental to creating a future where every woman, mother, and child can thrive irrespective of age, tribe, or status”.

Bassey  Ikpang further noted that “Empowerment is a call to action and not just a word. To empower women is to give them the tools, resources, and support they need to make informed decisions about their lives and the lives of their children. It is about ensuring that women have access to education, healthcare, and opportunities that allow them reach their full potential. When we empower women, we uplift families, communities, and ultimately, the entire nation”.

While “breastfeeding is one of the most powerful ways to empower women and protect the health of their children. It is a natural process that provides the ideal nutrition for infants, laying the foundation for a healthy life. Breast milk is rich in antibodies and nutrients that are essential for the development of the brain and the immune system. Beyond its health benefits, breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mother and child, fostering emotional security and connection”.

She stated that “breastfeeding is more than just a personal choice; it is a public health priority as such, we must work together to create an environment where every woman feels supported in her decision to breastfeed. This means advocating for policies that provide maternity leave, breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, and access to accurate information and healthcare services”.

“Just like the two sides of a coin, breastfeeding comes with many challenges and opportunities. Many women face significant challenges when it comes to breastfeeding, from societal pressures to the demands of work. These challenges are compounded by the lack of support and misinformation. Our role, as journalists, advocates and leaders, is to break down these barriers and create a culture that values and promotes breastfeeding as the norm”.

She further said  by empowering women, we are investing in the future, by promoting breastfeeding, we are giving our children the best possible start in life adding that together, we can build a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and every child has the chance to grow up healthy and strong.

Health talks by health professionals were also part of the programme. The women of Wumba were  encouraged to cut down on salt and cube seasonings which have been associated with escalating heart and cardiovascular issues, by the Programme Officer Cardiovascular Health, CAPPS, Bukola Olukemi Odele in her lecture tagged “Salt Reduction”.

On her part, Mrs Bayode Adenike the BFI Desk Officer  from the Ministry of Health educated the Wumba women on the best ways to breastfeed. She said  the duration  for exclusive breastfeeding is 6 months after which the baby should be introduced to other food taken by the family alongside breastfeeding till 2 years.

She stressed that if mothers adhere to exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, parents will not need to visit the hospital regularly and the money spent on instant formula will be reduced, she demonstrated how to make the breast flow where the Breast Milk refuses to.

The Wumba women expressed gratitude for the education.

The CEO of Gift Health and Development Initiative, commended FCT NAWOJ for its resolve to work on women, children and family health and promised to collaborate with the Association as they go around FCT on various health advocacies.

Part of the sponsors of the outreach were Prof Ezekiel and Grace Foundation Port Harcourt.