Event Overview
On July 16, 2025, HLADI joined global stakeholders 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.
The session brought together experts from health, agriculture, education, social protection, and WASH to explore evidence-based strategies for improving complementary feeding and preventing child wasting. Participants also shared practical country experiences shaping nutrition policy and programming across the continent.
Key Objectives
- Raise awareness on proven interventions and policy actions that strengthen infant and young child diets.
- Share successful country examples demonstrating effective multisectoral collaboration.
- Build capacity for developing and implementing complementary feeding guidelines aligned with global standards and tailored to local realities.
Key Discussion Points
Technical experts and government representatives presented tools and approaches that have contributed to reducing child wasting. Major themes included:
- Integrating nutrition with agriculture and social protection systems
- Promoting locally available, nutrient-rich foods
- Addressing barriers to adequate complementary feeding
- Aligning national nutrition policies with global targets and commitments
Participants
The webinar gathered:
- Government policymakers and technical officers
- Program managers and implementers in nutrition and food systems
- Professionals in health, agriculture, education, WASH, and community development
- International development partners, NGOs, and civil society actors
Conclusion
HLADI remains committed to advancing multisectoral collaboration that prioritizes maternal and child nutrition. The insights from this webinar will support HLADI’s ongoing work in advocacy, policy strengthening, and program implementation aimed at ending child wasting and promoting healthy growth for all children.