The weather was inclement on this fateful day, with the rains pouring down in torrents; however, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the people nor put an end to the anticipated programme of the day.

The women of Wumba community, a village in the Federal Capital territory (FCT), Abuja, the nation’s capital City of Unity, alongside their infant children, waited in their numbers for the programme, which they have long envisaged to begin.

Equally enthusiastic and fired for the day’s event were members of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) alongside their collaborators, Gift Health and Development Initiative. The day’s agenda was a sensitisation programme for women of the community on exclusive breastfeeding.

At the end of the day, it turned out to be a revealing and enlightening event for the women, who on the day were exposed to so many things that they hitherto don’t know about exclusive breastfeeding, especially in respect to the health benefits for both mother and child.

Reception

The team on arrival were warmly received by the community women, including their men, who also turned up for the event due to the importance that they attached to it and care for their women.

The chief and leader of the community, Sunday Gazaho, while welcoming the team on behalf of his community, expressed delight and appreciation for them considering his community for the empowerment project.

According to him: “We are very happy with this initiative, which will be of immense benefits not just to the babies, but to the mothers and family as a whole. I assure you that the men will continue to support women to engage in breastfeeding.”

Beneficiaries speak

One of the beneficiaries, Esther Musa, expressed satisfaction with the initiative, noting that she has been extremely impacted and exposed to new things about the programme and how to ensure that she is at her best to look after her infant baby while on exclusive breastfeeding. Excited and satisfied, she disclosed: “I am very happy to be part of this programme because I have learnt a lot.

The hospital where I had my ante-natal care taught us some of these things but I enjoyed the way all the speakers addressed my questions. I’m delighted and I’m empowered with the needed knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding. I will teach all my friends what I learnt today.”

Blessing Amos, another beneficiary, who is a class teacher, said: “We are happy to benefit from this initiative, there is always something new to learn. I learnt that it is possible to make a new born mother lactate without taking any herbs. I never knew that there is an exercise for that and the experts taught us that today.” She further noted that more of such empowerment is needed as it will develop them and others around them.

“I will share this knowledge with other women groups that I belong to,” she assured. On her part, Grace Abbas, a participant, appreciated NAWOJ for considering their community, saying: “I want to thank NAWOJ for considering the Wumba community for this empowerment programme.

We are truly empowered. I know that breast milk is good for babies but I learnt many more benefits today. I now know why babies don’t need water in the first six months of their lives. “Also, the experts really opened my eyes to the danger of consuming too much salt and I will adjust my lifestyle going forward.”

NAWOJ

The National Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Aisha Ibrahim, appreciated the guests and resource persons for their commitment of resources and time dedicated to ensuring that the event was a huge success.

This is as she said: “I praise your effort and task you to continue relentlessly in this service to humanity. “I want to say, without mincing words, that the empowerment of women is a necessity, which no one; no organised system, and no government should shy away from.

In NAWOJ, we believe that an empowered woman is a woman fully equipped to nurture herself as well as nurture others.” She said NAWOJ chapters across the states of the federation have been taking deliberate steps ensuring that women empowerment is part of efforts, stressing that they make in order to give women a place in the society.

According to her: “We train, educate women through seminars and workshops and empower them to be productive personalities as well as advocate for women inclusion in governance. “It is only a woman who knows her fundamental human rights as a citizen that would understand, respect and uphold the rights of others, including the rights of her child.”

Ibrahim also noted that in breastfeeding, it is only a woman who understands the working of her body, a woman who is healthy and economically empowered to know the required dietary intake of her body that would know how important it is for a child to live on breast milk and how to keep the feeding arena and feeding implements neat. “Breast milk is, just like the air humans breathe, the undisputed and life sustaining food for babies.

There is no dispute about the efficacy of that natural and God-given mammal duct and the food that it emits,” she noted. Speaking further she said: “Having clearly established the fact that breastfeeding is an important part of child draw attention to the need to grow and groom children who are healthy and strong to carry on after the mothers have stepped aside.

“Therefore, I use this medium to encourage all career women, who are warming up for motherhood, to devise a proper breastfeeding plan for their babies, including expressing breast milk for nannies and other caregivers rather than starting off on formulas from the onset.

“I also encourage breastfeeding on demand and for the first six months of a baby’s life. This, we all agree, will enable the child to grow into a stronger and more virile youth, who is not in any way ravaged by prevailing childhood killer diseases.

“This is properly noted since breast milk has been known as boosting immunity and a needed resistance to infections and diseases.” While in her speech, the Chairperson of FCT’s NAWOJ Chapter, Bassey Ita Ikpang, said the event is dear to her heart as women gather to discuss and champion two critical issues that are deeply interwoven-the empowerment of women and the promotion of breastfeeding.

She stated: “These two elements are not just vital to the health and well-being of our society, but are also fundamental to creating a future where every woman, mother, and child can thrive irrespective of age, tribe, or status. “Empowerment is a call to action and not just a word.

To empower women is to give them the tools, resources, and support they need to make informed decisions about their lives and the lives of their children. It is about ensuring that women have access to education, healthcare, and opportunities that allow them to reach their full potential. “When we empower women, we uplift families, communities, and ultimately, the entire nation.”

Ikpang further noted that breastfeeding is one of the most powerful ways to empower women and protect the health of their children. It is a natural process that provides the ideal nutrition for infants, laying the foundation for a healthy life. This is as she disclosed: “Breast milk is rich in antibodies and nutrients that are essential for the development of the brain and the immune system.

Beyond its health benefits, breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mother and child, fostering emotional security and connection. “In fact, breastfeeding is more than just a personal choice; it is a public health priority, as such, we must work together to create an environment where every woman feels supported in her decision to breastfeed.

“This means advocating for policies that provide maternity leave, breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, and access to accurate information and healthcare services.” She, however, lamented: “Many women face significant challenges when it comes to breastfeeding, from societal pressures to the demands of work. “These challenges are compounded by the lack of support and misinformation.

Our role, as journalists, advocates and leaders, is to break down these barriers and create a culture that values and promotes breastfeeding as the norm. “To do this, we must engage all sectors of society—healthcare providers, employers, community leaders, and policymakers.

We must educate our communities on the benefits of breastfeeding and empower women with the knowledge and confidence to make the best choices for themselves and their children. “Together, we can build a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and every child has the chance to grow up healthy and strong.”

Gift Health and Development Initiative

Ajahi Daniel of Gift Health and Development Initiative said the benefit of breastfeeding is enormous. “It is a privilege to collaborate with credible organisations like NAWOJ.

There is strength in breastfeeding, the benefits of breastfeeding are enormous as it binds mothers to their children. Breastfeeding is a thing of pride and not a shame.”

Experts speak

Bukola Olukemi-Odele, Programme Officer, Cardiovascular Health, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), who spoke on salt intake reduction, stressed that the human system needs salt in small quantities as excess intake of it causes hypertension.

“To enjoy old age, we need to reduce in-take of salt intake and seasoning,” she said.

The Desk Officer, Nutrition Department, Federal Ministry of Health, Bayode Adenike, who spoke on exclusive breastfeeding, noted that breast milk is readily available and that it is the first immunisation babies get from their mothers.