📖 Event Overview
On July 16, 2025, HLADI joined global stakeholders in participating in a high-level capacity-building webinar titled “Optimising Infant and Young Child Diets – A Multisectoral Approach to Prevent Wasting,” organized by WHO, UNICEF, WFP, and FAO.
This critical session brought together experts from across sectors—including health, agriculture, social protection, education, and WASH—to explore how collaborative, evidence-based strategies can be applied to enhance complementary feeding practices and prevent child wasting in various country contexts.
The session emphasized the need for strong, multisectoral action to improve young children’s diets and shared practical, country-led experiences that are shaping nutrition policy and programming across the continent.
🎯 Key Objectives of the Webinar
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To raise awareness on proven, evidence-based interventions and policy actions designed to improve the dietary quality of infants and young children.
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To share practical examples from different countries that demonstrate successful, multisectoral efforts in improving access to nutritious foods.
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To strengthen the capacity of participating stakeholders in developing and implementing national complementary feeding guidelines that are tailored to local contexts and aligned with global standards.
🧠 What Was Discussed
The webinar featured presentations by technical experts and government representatives who showcased tools, frameworks, and strategies that have made a measurable impact in reducing wasting. Key themes included:
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Integrating nutrition with agriculture and social protection
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Promoting locally available, nutrient-dense foods
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Addressing barriers to adequate complementary feeding
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Aligning national policies with global nutrition targets
👥 Participants Included:
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Government policymakers and decision-makers
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Program managers and implementers across nutrition, food systems, and public health
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Professionals from health, agriculture, WASH, education, and community development
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Representatives from international development partners and NGOs
✅ Conclusion
HLADI remains committed to supporting cross-sector collaboration that prioritizes maternal and child nutrition. The insights gained from this webinar will contribute to our ongoing work in advocacy, policy support, and program implementation aimed at ending child wasting and ensuring healthy growth and development for all children.