In a significant step towards improving maternal and child health in Sindh, a District Coordination Committee for Nutrition (DCCN) and Multi-Stakeholder Advocacy Meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, Sukkur. The event was organized by Naari Foundation under the SIGN Project—an initiative financially supported by IRC International and the European Union.

This high-level gathering was chaired by Bushra Mansoor, Deputy Commissioner-II Sukkur, and Dr. Arshad Mughal, Deputy Mayor of Sukkur, with active participation from stakeholders across multiple government departments, non-profits, and civil society organizations.

SIGN Project: Focused on Sustainable Improvements in Nutrition and Health

In her opening remarks, Bushra Mansoor acknowledged the commendable efforts of Naari Foundation in promoting nutrition-related laws and maternal health practices, particularly in regard to breastfeeding and food fortification. She praised the organization for its work around the Food Fortification Act 2021 and the recently passed Breastfeeding Protection and Promotion Act XL2023, calling them foundational steps for ensuring long-term public health improvement in Sindh.

The meeting was part of the SIGN (Scaling-up Integrated Governance for Nutrition) project, which aims to build sustainable governance models for nutrition by creating synergy between local governments, civil society, and technical partners.

Breastfeeding Week: Advocacy Gains Momentum

The central focus of the session was the upcoming World Breastfeeding Week, observed globally from August 1 to August 7, and its advocacy importance at the district level. Presenters emphasized that breastfeeding is a fundamental right of every child and that it serves as the first immunization, providing newborns with vital nutrients and immune protection.

A special briefing was given regarding the legal framework surrounding maternal and child nutrition. Participants were informed about:

• The importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life
• The Breastfeeding Protection Act (XL2023), which enforces breastfeeding-friendly environments and restricts unethical marketing of breast milk substitutes
• The Food Fortification Act 2021, aimed at ensuring micronutrient enrichment of essential food items like wheat flour, oil, and salt

Naari Foundation: Advocating for a Healthier Future

Anwar Mehr, Executive Director of Naari Foundation, and Shazia Abbasi, Project Manager of SIGN, jointly shared the objectives of the project. They highlighted that maternal and child health forms the backbone of any society, and emphasized that well-nourished mothers are key to raising healthy future generations.

They also stressed the importance of timely immunizations for children, balanced diets for expectant mothers, and the need to combat malnutrition at the grassroots level.

“Early childhood nutrition, especially through exclusive breastfeeding, not only ensures physical health but also cognitive development,” said Anwar Mehr.

Broad Participation: A Unified Call for Action

The meeting witnessed wide-ranging representation from departments such as Health, Education, Population Welfare, Women Development, Fisheries, Livestock, Public Health, and Food Authority, along with DA&IP, Municipal Corporation, district administration, media, and civil society.

Notable attendees included:

• Sobia Falak, Assistant Commissioner Sukkur
• Rida Zahra, Assistant Commissioner Pano Aqil
• Ghazala Kashif, Public Health Expert
• Samreen Lako, Women’s Development Official
• Dr. Rafiq Ghalal, District Health Officer
• Zahid Khaskheli, Food Department Representative
• Zohaib Mir, District Education Officer
• Representatives from IRC International such as Shakeel Patras, Yasin Jatoi, Abdul Waheed, Amjad Ali, and Khalid Banbhan

Their active engagement underscored the collective commitment of various sectors in addressing malnutrition and improving child survival rates.

Legal Framework and Policy Push

One of the major highlights of the session was a comprehensive discussion on the legal tools available to support breastfeeding and food fortification in the region. The enactment of Act XL2023 was particularly applauded for mandating the creation of breastfeeding corners in public spaces, restricting promotional content for breast milk substitutes, and ensuring workplace support for breastfeeding mothers.

Simultaneously, the Food Fortification Act 2021 is gaining traction as an essential law for addressing hidden hunger, particularly iron, iodine, and folic acid deficiencies among the population.

“By institutionalizing these laws, we are creating an enabling environment for mothers and caregivers to make healthier choices for their children,” stated Dr. Arshad Mughal.

Advocacy and Awareness Drive: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach

The meeting emphasized that raising awareness is critical for the success of any legislation. Participants discussed strategies for mainstreaming nutrition in local development planning, media engagement, and community-level sensitization.

Health educators, lady health workers, religious leaders, and teachers were all identified as potential change agents in spreading the message of proper child nutrition and safe feeding practices.

Conclusion: Moving Forward Together

The meeting concluded on a highly positive note, with participants committing to:

• Strengthening multi-sectoral coordination for maternal and child health
• Implementing legal frameworks at the grassroots
• Supporting World Breastfeeding Week with district-wide campaigns, seminars, and community outreach programs
• Tracking progress through follow-up meetings and evaluations

Deputy Commissioner Bushra Mansoor reiterated the government’s full support for all nutrition-focused initiatives and encouraged continuous dialogue and collaboration between stakeholders.

The advocacy meeting in Sukkur serves as a model for other districts, demonstrating that with the right partnerships, community engagement, and policy support, tangible improvements in public health are achievable.