ISLAMABAD: Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam on Wednesday called for formulating policies to protect breastfeeding women from the adverse effects of climate change. Speaking at a seminar, “National Advocacy and Sensitisation with Parliamentarians on the World Breastfeeding Awareness Week”, she emphasised the critical importance of breastfeeding for both maternal and child health.

“Breastfeeding is not just a vital practice for the health and development of infants and mothers, it also has significant economic and environmental benefits,” Ms Alam stated. She highlighted the importance of promoting and supporting breastfeeding through education, policy and community initiatives as a way to foster healthier individuals and create a more sustainable future.

The event, organised by Save the Children in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, WHO, Unicef, and the World Food Programme, was attended by parliamentarians, public health experts, civil society members, students, and the general public.

Ms Alam underscored the impact of climate change on mothers’ access to healthy nutrition, particularly in Pakistan, which was on the frontline of climate change impacts. She noted that extreme weather events, water scarcity and shifts in agricultural productivity had a direct effect on food security, and by extension, on maternal and child nutrition.

“As climate change exacerbates poverty and food insecurity, the most vulnerable segments of our population - women and children - are at increased risk of malnutrition,” she remarked. She stressed the need for policies and action plans to protect breastfeeding women from the worsening effects of climate change, particularly floods and heatwaves.

Ms Alam also called for integrating climate resilience into national nutrition programmes and policies.

“This means promoting sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring that our food systems are resilient to climate shocks, and prioritising nutrition in our climate adaptation strategies,” she explained.

“By doing so, we can protect our children from the dual threats of malnutrition and climate change.”

Mohammad Naeem from Save the Children International Pakistan reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to improving maternal and child health through strategic partnerships with government bodies and organisations like Unicef.

Anteneh G. Minas, Chief of Nutrition at Unicef Pakistan, emphasised the essential role of parliamentarians and policymakers in securing budget allocations to support breastfeeding initiatives. He also highlighted Unicef’s ongoing advocacy for the enforcement of the Breast-milk Substitutes Acts.

MNA Rana Ansar shared insights into legislative measures taken to protect breastfeeding practices, including a bill passed in the Sindh Assembly that prohibited formula milk companies from marketing their products as substitutes for breast milk. She also discussed amendments requiring workplaces with 25 or more employees to provide daycare centres and a resolution to establish daycare centres in all assemblies and other workplaces.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2024