A high-level stakeholder meeting has been held to address malnutrition and promote the National Guideline for the Empowerment of Women and Girls for Optimal Nutrition, bringing together commissioners, nutrition desk officers from various MDAs, and representatives from the state traditional council.
Organized by the Heal-the-Youth Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the event highlighted the foundation’s impact since 2020, reaching over 64,000 beneficiaries nationwide, with particular focus on women and children in Plateau State. Despite challenges such as inflation and insecurity, the foundation has continued to provide food supplements, consistent health monitoring, and has secured a small grant from the Department of Development Research Project Center to sustain its work.
In his keynote address, Plateau State Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Adams Bulus Lekshak, commended the foundation’s efforts and reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing the national guideline launched in April 2024. He emphasized that the multi-sectoral framework is essential to addressing malnutrition while empowering women and girls for national development.
The Executive Director of Heal-the-Youth Foundation, Amb. Aji Robinson, outlined the critical role of women in the economy and the importance of their empowerment to achieve optimal nutrition. She called for increased awareness, government support, and collaboration to ensure effective implementation of the guideline.
Discussions during the meeting revealed that many stakeholders were unaware of the new guideline, highlighting the need for intensified advocacy. Focus group discussions with women and girls identified challenges including high costs of farm inputs and limited manpower, while traditional leaders pledged their support to ensure the initiative’s success.
The foundation’s future action plan includes partnering with the state government to implement the guideline, providing leadership and advocacy training to women’s groups, and improving access to diverse food sources to mitigate chronic illnesses. The meeting also featured goodwill messages from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Primary Health Care Board, APIN Public Health Initiative, and the traditional council, alongside donations for women and girls from Vwang and Tudun Wada communities.
The initiative underscores the commitment to intentionally empower women and girls in Plateau State, enabling them to reach their full productive and economic potential, thereby contributing to a stronger, more resilient society.
📩 Reported by: Stone Reporters News
🌍 stonereportersnews.com | info@stonereportersnews.com
📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNews
Add comment
Comments