By Maryam Diallo
As the world commemorates World Breastfeeding Week, the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), through its Women Department under the Faith and Cultural Champions (FCC) Project, joins the global community in celebrating the life-saving benefits of breastfeeding while calling on families, faith leaders, traditional institutions, communities, and government to strengthen support for mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies.
In a statement made available to the press by the head of women dexk matter malama fadila bukar
Breastfeeding remains one of the most effective and affordable interventions for improving maternal and child health. Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life provides babies with the essential nutrients and antibodies needed for healthy growth, protects them against infections and malnutrition, and significantly reduces infant mortality. It also contributes to the health and wellbeing of mothers by promoting recovery after childbirth and reducing the risk of certain diseases.
Speaking on the significance of the commemoration, the Co-Executive Director of IMC, Malam Hayatu Ashafa, emphasized that improving maternal and child health requires collective action beyond the health sector.
“Breastfeeding is not only a health issue; it is a family and community responsibility. Husbands, religious leaders, traditional institutions, health workers, and community members all have a role to play in creating an enabling environment where mothers receive the support they need to exclusively breastfeed their babies. Through the FCC Project, IMC continues to promote positive social norms that encourage antenatal care, skilled facility delivery, childbirth spacing, and spousal communication as pathways to healthier families.”
Under the Faith and Cultural Champions (FCC) Project, implemented in selected communities across Kaduna State, IMC has continued to leverage faith and cultural structures to promote positive behaviour change on maternal, newborn, and child health. Religious and traditional leaders have been mobilized to integrate key maternal health messages into sermons, community dialogues, women’s gatherings, and youth engagements, while trained community champions continue to conduct step-down sensitization activities that reinforce these messages at the grassroots.
The Women Department of IMC noted that exclusive breastfeeding is closely linked to other maternal health interventions promoted under the FCC Project, including regular Antenatal Care (ANC), birth preparedness, skilled hospital delivery, healthy Childbirth Spacing (CBS), and effective spousal communication. These interventions collectively contribute to healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries, and improved child survival.
As part of the World Breastfeeding Week celebration, IMC calls on:
* Mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months and continue breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding as recommended by health professionals.
* Husbands and family members to provide emotional, financial, and practical support to breastfeeding mothers.
* Religious and traditional leaders to continue using their trusted platforms to promote positive maternal and child health practices.
* Health workers to provide quality, respectful, and mother-friendly healthcare services.
* Government and development partners to invest in policies and programmes that support breastfeeding, maternal health services, and community awareness.
IMC reaffirms its commitment to working with communities, faith institutions, traditional leaders, government agencies, media organizations, and development partners to improve maternal and child health outcomes across Kaduna State through inclusive, faith-sensitive, and community-driven approaches.
Together, let us create a supportive environment where every mother can breastfeed successfully and every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Signed:
Fadila bukar
Women Department
Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), Kaduna
August 2026
