Kathmandu / A group of motivated youth representing from Thought for Food (TFF) and International Youth Alliance for Family Planning (IYAFP) have launched a week long campaign.
The campaign was conducted with the overall co-ordination and management by a core team composed of five youth leaders namely Mr. Ghanshyam Bhattarai, Ms. Saru Pyakurel, Ms. Sandhya Subedi, Ms. Anusha Shrestha and Ms. Anju Rijal along with collaborating partners that includes- Rotaract Club of Ratnanagar, Rotaract Club of Durbarmarg, Rotaract Club of Pokhara GMC, Rotaract Club of Pokhara Midtown, Leo Club Of Kathmandu Natural, Sambriddhi Leo Club, Rotaract Club of Pashupati, Rotaract Club of Tripureshwor, Sustainabilty Week Kathmanadu, Shafia Center for Health Care Pvt. Ltd.
The main motive of the week long campaign was to provide awareness about breastfeeding. Furthermore, the campaign helped to promote, protect and support the breastfeeding anywhere anytime. Additionally, the final day webinar was vital to bring together experts from various fields to share their knowledge and way forward.
From August 1 to 7, different awareness videos were shared which showed the importance of breastfeeding and the objective of our campaign in short. Awareness regarding the importance of dissemination of accurate information about breastfeeding from a young age trying to depict we youths can strengthen the health condition of ourselves and our children by applying good breastfeeding practices in future. The video had a voice from Yalina Thapa, a perspective youth.
On August 5, another video was released, which demonstrated the importance of colostrum. It had the message that colostrum is the precious food for breastfeeding newborn. It plays a crucial role in building his immune system. The husband and the whole family should play the biggest role in taking care of both the mother and the child. With the help and support of the family, the mother’s attitude towards breastfeeding becomes positive. The video had a voice from Sharmila Shrestha and her mother Purnima Shrestha.
And finally on August 8, a national level webinar with four keynote speakers namely Mrs. Shafia Khatun, Mr. Anil Khadka, Mr. Atul Upadhyay and Ms.Shreya Khanal along with overwhelming enthusiastic participation, the program got completed. In the webinar, Mrs. Shafia Khatun highlighted the technical aspects of breastfeeding including anatomy of breast, position of breastfeeding, position and methods for breastfeeding twin babies, expression of breastmilk, cup feeding, amount of milk to give for 2.5 kg or more weighed child, counseling, the proper way to hold or carry a baby, breast problems and respective solutions.
Similarly, Mr. Anil Khadka depicted the community perspective on breastfeeding, its myths and truths, how theory and practicality mismatches, the effect of stress on breastfeeding, the need of perspective to be developed on young generation, health care systems in Nepal, why technical aspects shoul be more prioritized instead of theoretical aspects, how government should mainstream health care systems in Nepal.
Meanwhile, Mr. Atul Upadhyay focused his presentation on National and International Policies, highlights and need of change in policies, goal of Sustainable development, status of Nepal, the status of breastfeeding condition in the hospitals of Kathmandu Valley, the need of promoting breastfeeding, market of Breast Milk Substitute Also, the rate of purchasing bottle milk in countries like China, Brazil, etc ,the challenges, Nepal’s try in World Health Conferences, the responsibility of Nepal Government in Kodex Nutrition Committee,.
Also, youth activist Ms. Shreya Khanal talked about teenage pregnancies and breastfeeding, perception of breastfeeding in youth, how school breastfeeding promotion program helps bringing change in the perception of adolescents, the importance of breastfeeding education in adolescents, how youth group meetings are good platforms for awareness, how can we help mothers acknowledge that they are not alone in this journey.
This way, all the four keynote speakers highlighted different aspects of breastfeeding despite their busy schedule of work. This has made the organizing team incredibly grateful to all of them for the speakers’ invaluable presence and insights. They received encouraging feedback and honest reviews.
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