1. Public Private Partnerships Effective in Nutrition Programming: Coordination of a National Breastfeeding Campaign in Zimbabwe Dexter Chagwena Founding Director Nutri@ctive Zimbabwe

2. Background Breastfeeding is clearly effective and cost effective strategy to reduce infant mortality Breastfeeding rates are continuously decreasing in developing countries – In Zimbabwe only 41% of infants under 6 months of age breastfed exclusively. (MICS,2014) “Going back to Work” has been cited as the main reason women stop breastfeeding!

3. Background A growing female workforce has resulted in challenges to optimal-breastfeeding Creation of breastfeeding-friendly workplaces to encourage mothers to breastfeed – Key solution to curb factors that discourage women from stopping breastfeeding early Requires buy-in from private companies with little appreciation of nutrition Governments cannot achieve active buy-in and appreciation without coordination between – stakeholders; employers and policy makers participating in nutrition service delivery

4. Approach Aim of this intervention was to coordinate a national multi-sectoral breastfeeding campaign involving different stakeholders In line with the 2015 WBW theme “Breastfeeding and Work – Let’s make it Work” MOHCC collaboration with public & private companies set up a National Breastfeeding Committee (NBC) Main activities of the NBC were to; – plan activities to commemorate WBW 2015 – mobilise resources – advocate/raise awareness around the WBW theme and planned activities

5. Approach Stakeholders involved  Key Government Ministries  Telecommunications companies  Cement company  Civil society organisations  Central Hospitals  Key government ministries  Youth and theatre groups  Zimbabwe Republic Police  Popular Gospel Musicians

6. Series of 10 Campaigning Activities WBW Launch at Lafarge Cement Lactation Room – best practice of how companies can support BF

7. Series of 10 Campaigning Activities Breastfeeding March & Street awareness campaign – Youth edutainment performances

8. Social Media Campaign

9. Series of 10 Campaigning Activities 5. Demonstration of a model breastfeeding/lactation room in the street 6. Private companies advocate for support of breastfeeding through street exhibitions 7. Workshops on Maternity Protection Initiatives 8. Assess mother-friendly workplace initiatives in companies 9. Radio and TV presentation series from nutrition professionals 10. Disseminate key messages on breastfeeding and work

10. Campaigning Activities Activities carried out: Resources mobilised:USD 25 083 Advocacy/ Raising Awareness: – Radio and TV Presentations – Distribution of educational pamphlets & brochures – Circulation of BF text messages via various social media and telecommunication platforms

11. Achievements Twenty-six private and public institutions participated

12. Impact on REACH Mobilized USD 25 083 to supplement MoHCC budget People reached – Over 13 000 through WhatsApp – 5 000 through edutainment – Over 200 mothers received counseling in the street breastfeeding booth – 96 HWs, Company executives and Media Practitioners trained on MPIs

13. Discussion Establishment of Key Public-Private-Partnerships involving different stakeholders is effective in nutrition programming Effective in – Knowledge dissemination – Resource mobilisation – Planning & implementation There is need to monitor conflict of interests from participating stakeholders to ensure adequate programme delivery

14. Conclusion Coordinating nutrition programmes using the Public-Private-Partnership approach enhances resource mobilization and effective nutrition service delivery Design objective studies to evaluate the impact of nutrition communication strategies on nutrition outcomes

15. Authors Dexter Chagwena, Ancikaria Chigumira, Monica Muti Ministry of Health and Child Care Dexter Chagwena, Bhekimpilo Sithole, Rutendo Masendu, Yemurai Mkondo. Nutri@ctive Zimbabwe Charity Zvandaziva UNICEF Lorraine Maunze Nutrition Action Zimbabwe

16. Tatenda!