By Caroline Chiimba
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival, providing infants with essential nutrients, antibodies, and promoting cognitive development; yet many mothers face significant barriers, including lack of adequate support, societal pressures, and insufficient workplace policies, which hinder their ability to sustain breastfeeding practices.
This World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated under the theme, ‘Prioritize breastfeeding: Create sustainable support systems’ underscores the critical need for long-lasting, community-driven initiatives that empower mothers to breastfeed successfully and ensure the optimal health and development of children worldwide.
In line with the theme, Nutrition Action Zimbabwe (NAZ) and partners like CARE Zimbabwe, Action Contre LaFaim and UNICEF supported the Ministry of Health and Child Care in commemorating world breastfeeding week in districts like Gokwe North, Gutu, Kariba, Beitbridge and Mangwe where road shows and dramas were conducted to promote breastfeeding.
“We believe that promoting breastfeeding is vital in building robust, sustainable support systems that stand the test of time. Since 2014, our work has focused on empowering communities, strengthening health systems, and advocating for policies that create an enabling environment for every mother to make informed choices and receive the support she needs for successful breastfeeding,” Tapiwa Magaisa, NAZ Executive Director said.
Speaking at the sidelines of commemorations in Gutu, Agreement Muzondo, a husband and father of two said he supports his breastfeeding wife emotionally, making sure that she has peace of mind and is happy all the time.
“I always make sure I provide food for my wife and children, and I assist her with household chore like fetching water and firewood. This gives her more time to breastfeed, take care of our children and prepare nutritious food for the family,” he said.
“I am grateful for the knowledge I received from village health workers on being supportive to breastfeeding, it has not only made my wife happy, but it has also given me the confidence to be a better husband and father.”
Successful breastfeeding requires a warm chain of support that includes healthcare workers, families and communities. 65 year old Simbisai Charumbira from Gutu is one such grandmother and mother in law who is very support of breastfeeding.
“Gone are the days when we used to give porridge and water to a child below six months old, we now have knowledge of benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, then introducing solid foods after six months. I always encourage my daughter in laws to exclusively breastfeed for six months then introduce complementary feeding up to two years,” she said.
NAZ nutrition manager Chisichawo Mutendadzamera added that sustainable support systems are not just about immediate assistance; they are about embedding breastfeeding as a norm within families, communities, and national health agendas.
“When mothers receive consistent, informed support from their families, healthcare providers, the community and policymakers, the positive impact on child health, nutrition, and even economic development is profound and lasting,” he said.
NAZ utilizes the care group model and the Social Analysis Action approach to challenge and redress the negative socio-cultural norms which hinder the positive breastfeeding practices. Both approaches utilize dialogues to strengthen positive behaviors and to correct negative behaviors.
“As mothers, we were taught that breastmilk alone is the most powerful food the baby needs for the first six months of his or her life. They explained how it protects children from sickness and gives them everything they need to grow strong and healthy,” said Suggest Vheremu, a 34 year old mother from Negande in Kariba rural.
“It was a simple message, but it changed everything for me. I have a healthy child and I am also encouraging other women to take breastfeeding seriously every time we conduct our care group sessions.”