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1. National Breastfeeding Mechanisms
The situation of breastfeeding is almost similar as it was two decades ago, however there are certain areas where prevalence has improved. Having national breastfeeding mechanisms for protection, promotion and support of Infant and Young Child Feeding and setting accountability can play an important role in improving this. The Innocenti Declaration set four operational targets and the first one is establishing national breastfeeding coordination mechanisms. Much has been done on the other Innocenti targets: BFHI, Maternity protection and the Code, however target one has not received the attention it needs. Breastfeeding committees have been formed in many countries and action plans have been approved, however it still lacks the government budget allocation for breastfeeding activities. For the committees to get truly involved the major challenge remains with the national groups.
The following workshops will share and review the situation in selected countries and attempt to answer such questions as what kinds mechanisms exits and, whether the systems of accountability are there or not? Is there any effort for the development of national plans of infant and young child feeding? Are these being implemented, monitored and evaluated? Are there partnerships established with all stakeholders on infant feeding and do these keep in view the principles of avoiding conflict of interests?
These workshops will provide skills in developing action plans and in analyzing a local situation. They will also share tools to monitor the progress and how community can be involved in action plan to do monitoring.
I. Setting the Agenda: Setting the National Plan of Action on Infant and Young Child Feeding - Dr. N.B. Kumta, BPNI India, Facilitator
Examples from India, the USA and by various other participants will be highlighted. Audience participation will be encouraged.
Skill building and sharing:
II. From Policy to Practice: Operationalising the Ideas in the Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding (GSIYCF) - Dr. Raj Anand, Facilitator
The new WHO GSIYCF will be presented with discussion on how countries can tailor their policies and programmes to fit local situations. Case studies of success stories and lessons learned will be presented from several countries, including Burkina Faso, India, Madagascar and Sweden.
Sharing workshop:
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The Global Strategy - Dr. Raj Anand in place of Randa Saadeh, WHO
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Case Study India - Dr. Arun Gupta, BPNI India
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Breastfeeding Situation in Francophone and achievements - Binta Barry /Blanche Batiano, IBFAN Afrique, Burkina Faso
III. The First Innocenti Goal: How Can We Achieve Accountability? - Dr. Arun Gupta, BPNI India, Facilitator
Presenters and participants will give examples of effective and non-effective national breastfeeding coordinators and intersectoral committees. How can these or other approaches be developed to ensure that someone in government is called to task when breastfeeding rates decline and rewarded when breastfeeding rates improve? This will be linked to the question of sustainable sources of funding and promotion for breastfeeding programming.
Skill workshops:
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Generating Ideas: VIPP exercise and group work
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Developing a national action plan: skill building workshop
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Holding national mechanisms accountable
IV. Assessment, Analysis and Action (AAA): From Community to National Levels - Dr. Jayam, India, Facilitator
Various assessment tools will be examined, including GLOPAR and a National Infant Feeding Scoring Tool developed by LINKAGES. The link between monitoring and accountability will be explored.
Learning to monitor:
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