STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT HELD TO ATTAIN OPTIMAL NUTRITION IN PLATEAU STATE
By Simi Simon
A high-level stakeholder meeting held to address the critical issue of malnutrition and to champion the National Guideline for the Empowerment of Women and Girls for Optimal Nutrition, has brought together commissioners and nutrition desk officers from various line MDAs, as well as representatives of the state traditional council, among others.
The event, organized by the Heal-the-Youth Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning highlighted the foundation’s significant impact since 2020, reaching over 64,000 beneficiaries across Nigeria, with a special focus on women and children in Plateau State.
Despite facing serious challenges like inflation and insecurity, the foundation has been able to provide food supplements, offer consistent health monitoring, and secure a small grant from the Department of Development Research Project Center to continue its vital work.
In a keynote address, the Plateau State Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Adams Bulus Lekshak commended the foundation’s efforts and underscored the government’s commitment to implementing the new national guideline.
He emphasized that the guideline, launched in April 2024, provides a multi-sectoral framework to address malnutrition and empower women and girls, which is essential for national development.
The Executive Director, Heal the Youth Foundation, Amb. Aji Robinson, giving an overview of the National Guideline, highlighted the critical role of women in the economy and the need for their employment to achieve optimal nutrition.
Amb. Aji stated that the foundation aims to raise awareness about the guideline and its potential to empower women and girls, emphasizing its importance in designing and implementing effective interventions.
She called for continued government support and empowerment of women to build a stronger and more resilient society.
The meeting’s discussions revealed that many stakeholders were unaware of the new guideline, underscoring the need for increased advocacy and collaboration.
Focus group discussions with women and girls identified key challenges, including the high cost of farm inputs and a lack of manpower, while traditional leaders pledged their support to ensure the initiative’s success.
The Heal-the-Youth Foundation’s action plan for the future includes collaborating with the state government to implement the guideline, providing training to women’s groups on leadership and advocacy, and ensuring that women and girls have access to diverse food sources to mitigate chronic illnesses.
Highlights of the events were free will donations by the foundation for the women and girls from Vwang and Tudun Wada communities and goodwill messages from representatives of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Primary Health Care Board, APIN Public Health Initiative and the traditional council respectively.
Ultimately, the goal is to intentionally empower women and girls in Plateau State, allowing them to reach their full productive and economic potential and contribute to a stronger, more resilient society.
