Combating Micronutrient Deficiencies in Africa -CRS Trains Journalists, Communications Professionals
The weeklong training sessions organized by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in collaboration with the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire last week has ended, equipping over 20 journalists from 17 African countries with essential tools to advocate for malnutrition solutions.
According to a release, the “transformative capacity-building workshop” was intended to intensify the fight against micronutrient deficiencies in Africa.
Judith Kabore, Country Action Specialist for Francophone Africa from the Dakar Hub of the SUN Movement, emphasized the urgent need to combat malnutrition, revealing that micronutrient deficiencies affect millions of children across Africa, limiting their growth and development.
Kabore urged African leaders to take deliberate action to ensure children receive the necessary nutrients, at the workshop which also highlighted the critical role of media in raising awareness and influencing policy.
“Journalists and communicators are essential in this fight,” she noted, stressing that their voices can mobilize public support for nutritional programs.
Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and CRS, the workshop featured a series of discussions and interactive sessions aimed at enhancing journalists’ understanding of nutrition-related challenges and solutions in Africa.
Representing Liberia, Solomon A. Ware, Director of Press and Public Affairs in the Office of the Vice President, actively engaged in discussions, underscoring the importance of media in shaping public opinion and government policies for improved nutrition outcomes.
The SUN Movement is a global initiative dedicated to eradicating malnutrition in all its forms, continuing to collaborate with CRS and other stakeholders to address Africa’s nutrition challenges through a multi-sectoral approach.
The workshop was held under the theme, “Multisectoral and Intersectoral Dialogue in the Fight Against Micronutrient Deficiencies in Africa,” and it featured discussions among journalists and media partners from 17 African SUN countries on collaboration in nutrition, food fortification, and the contributions of communicators.
Participants concluded the workshop with a commitment to advocate for change, using their platforms to amplify the urgency of addressing micronutrient deficiencies and holding governments accountable for implementing effective policies.
As the workshop wrapped up, the call to action was clear: stronger media advocacy, intentional leadership from African governments, and sustained efforts from all sectors are essential to combat the rising issue of malnutrition and secure a healthier future for Africa’s children.
This regional capacity-building workshop was organized by the Regional Office for Francophone Africa of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement (SUN Movement), in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Initiative of African Journalists and Communicators for Nutrition (IJ-CAN).