Our first ever network-wide Virtual Assembly took place in May against the backdrop of ongoing global crises, which have seen food prices rise and access to adequate nutrition further diminished. Together, CSN members discussed how communities have been impacted and what we needed to change in the global food system to mitigate the impact of […]
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¡Un nuevo capítulo para el liderazgo de los jóvenes en materia de nutrición para el SUN RSC!
Este año, el Secretariado de la RSC de SUN está muy entusiasmado con el lanzamiento de la siguiente fase del exitoso Programa de Líderes Jóvenes por la Nutrición, e invitamos a todos los miembros de la RSC a unirse a nosotros para reclutar a la próxima generación de jóvenes agentes de cambio en materia de […]
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A new chapter for youth leadership on nutrition for the SUN CSN!
This year, the SUN CSN Secretariat is very excited to be launching the next phase of the successful Youth Leaders for Nutrition Program, and we’re inviting all CSN Members to join us in recruiting the next generation of young change-makers on nutrition. What does this new phase look like? Previously, the SUN CSN has supported […]
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Three things we learnt from the first Civil Society Network assembly
This week saw over 60 members of the SUN Movement’s Civil Society Network (CSN) come together from countries all around the globe in the first ever network-wide assembly to discuss experiences and solutions surrounding the current global food crisis and to create tangible advocacy demands as a network. The discussion was full of ideas and […]
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The SUN CSN to host its first network-wide assembly on global crises
Summary The Civil Society Network Secretariat (CSNS) plans to organise a series of meetings with CSN Members to come together and share experiences and perspectives on how the global commodity price increases are impacting nutrition in different contexts. The event on May 25th will be offered as the first of an ongoing series of global […]
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Ukraine conflict highlights the fragility of the global food system and will have damaging impact on nutrition of the most vulnerable, warns SUN Movement’s Civil Society Network.
Members of the SUN Movement’s Civil Society Network are already reporting food shortages and escalation in prices due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which will have knock-on effects on the state of nutrition globally. The Russian Federation and Ukraine are among the most important producers of agricultural commodities in the world. Organisations such as […]
LeerInternational Women’s Day: Interview with Martha Nyagaya
Are you a women working in food systems, what do you do? Yes, I am Nutrition International’s Country Director in Kenya. In this role I lead program planning, development and implementation of multisectoral nutrition programs. I also manage relations with Donors, Government of Kenya and other key local stakeholders. As the Chair of the SUN […]
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The African Union Year of Nutrition
At their annual meeting in February of 2022, the African Union declared 2022 ‘The Year of Nutrition for Africa’. This is an exciting initiative as it will shine a spotlight on nutrition in Africa and push for greater political commitment on nutrition and increased investment to address the ongoing malnutrition challenges. The AU will strive […]
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Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Network Commitment
This week, actors across the nutrition community including representatives from governments, businesses, academics and members of civil society came together to make bold pledges towards the UN nutrition targets at the Nutrition for Growth Summit. The Civil Society Network (CSN) is part of Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN), a world-wide Movement to end malnutrition. Our diverse […]
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World Breastfeeding Week 2021: Zimbabwe changes Parliament for the better
With more women parliamentarians than ever before, it is crucial that facilities are available for women to adequately nourish their child during its first 1000 days. In Zimbabwe, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care chairperson Dr Ruth Labode said “We now have more young female legislators in Parliament who have children and are breastfeeding.” It […]
LeerWith more women parliamentarians than ever before, it is crucial that facilities are available for women to adequately nourish their child during its first 1000 days. In Zimbabwe, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care chairperson Dr Ruth Labode said “We now have more young female legislators in Parliament who have children and are breastfeeding.” It seemed imperative therefore that there should be a suitable place for women to breastfeed their children whilst at work, even in Parliament.
ZCSOSUNA national coordinator Mr Kudakwashe Zombe said the country’s labour laws do not provide for adequate maternity leave to allow lactating mothers to breastfeed their babies. He said there was a need for innovative ways to accommodate working women through creating parent-friendly workstations and hoped that the government of Zimbabwe would establish themselves as leaders in this sphere. According to a UNICEF Global Guide for Employers, family-friendly workplaces are associated with increased staff retention — particularly for skilled staff — and therefore lower recruitment and training costs, improved employee productivity and a more diverse workforce.
After pressure from ZCSOSUNA, the government agreed to make this change and after collaborating with the alliance, set up a feeding room for nursing mothers in parliament.
The room will be a safe place for mothers to express and store breastmilk. According to Mr Zombe, “with the establishment of the parent-friendly rooms, women can store this milk and take it home so that children have adequate nutrition.”
He continues; “the breastfeeding rooms will give an opportunity to legislators and other female employees to come to work with their babies, and it helps them to have a peace of mind.” The breastfeeding room at Parliament, said Zombe, allows women the convenience to express their milk freely and also feed their babies.
Changes such as these are crucial to giving women every opportunity to work as well as ensuring their baby has the healthiest and most nutritious start to life. Coordinator of ZCOSUNA, Kudawashe Zombe has said “In line with this year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme, Protect Breastfeeding: A shared responsibility. I believe that the parliament of Zimbabwe took a noble step of establishing a parent friendly room at parliament building and hope that other government ministries and departments as well as the private sector will also adopt the initiative and share the responsibility in protecting breastfeeding at work places.”
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