Civil Society Partners With Benue Women Affairs Ministry On Child Nutrition

The Civil Society for Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has strengthened collaboration with Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare to improve maternity and child nutrition.

During a courtesy visit to the commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Theresa Odachi Ikwue, in Makurdi, the state coordinator CS-SUNN, Rachael Ityohzughul, commended the ministry for its commitment to the welfare of women and children and stressed the urgent need for stronger nutrition across Benue.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s information officer, Joy Akoh, she said the civil society organisation advocated for the creation of a child nutrition fund to ensure sustainable financing for nutrition interventions, particularly for vulnerable women and children in communities.

On maternity protection, CS-SUNN urged the state government to consider extending paid maternity leave for nursing mothers in the civil service from three to six months to promote exclusive breastfeeding, in line with global health recommendations.

Ityohzughul said that strengthening institutional frameworks and increasing funding for nutrition-related activities would improve child survival, growth and development outcomes.

On her part, the commissioner said the ministry was in the process of formulating meals for children aged zero to three months and six to 12 months, respectively, to improve the nutritional needs of children among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).