By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbi
Birnin Kebbi -The Society for Women Development in Nigeria (SWODEN) has emphasized the crucial role of husbands’ support in ensuring the success of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months after delivery.
Mrs. Esther Hindi, SWODEN’s focal person, made this observation during a training session for health workers on “Behavioral Change Intervention for Gender Mainstreaming and Nutrition Intervention” in Birnin Kebbi.
The training, organized in collaboration with the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN), Kebbi chapter, and funded by Nutrition International, aimed to build the capacity of health workers on gender mainstreaming and nutrition intervention in five local government areas of Kebbi.
Hindi stressed that the project seeks to achieve behavioral change to enhance nutrition among pregnant women and children under five. She noted that the program has been implemented in Kebbi for three years, covering five LGAs and 10 facilities, providing services for pregnant women.
Hindi emphasized the need for husbands to support their wives in achieving exclusive breastfeeding and ensuring adequate nutrition for their children. She also highlighted the importance of community leaders and gatekeepers in promoting behavioral change.
The Coordinator of Nutrition International in Kebbi, Mr. Baba Tunde Lawani, commended SWODEN for its strategy in conveying the message to the grassroots. He advised participants to utilize the knowledge acquired and ensure it filters down to the end-users.
A participant, Hajiya Hauwa’u Adamu, promised to conduct step-down training for other health workers to disseminate the knowledge acquired.
