With 35.5 percent of children under the age of five being stunted in Malawi, and an infant mortality rate of 31.210 deaths per 1 000 live births, World Vision Malawi (WVM) is implementing a campaign called ‘Enough’ aimed at addressing nutrition – related challenges among children in the country. Our reporter JACOB NANKHONYA caught up with WVM country director FRANCIS DUBE to shed more light on the campaign and related matters. Excerpts:
QPlease share a brief background of the campaign?
AEnough is an initiative that aims to end child hunger and malnutrition. It is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2 [Zero-hunger], aiming to create a world free from hunger by 2030. Hunger and food insecurity have alarmingly increased across the globe, further deepening inequalities. Malawi has not been spared from the hunger crisis, and the children are at the centre of the hunger problem, and statistics are frightening, including those of the hidden hunger [micronutrient malnutrition]. The campaign was launched in August 2024 and, through it, we are seeking to improve the visibility and understanding of the size and dynamics of child hunger and nutrition at all levels.
QWhy do you think it is important that children access nourishing food?
AProper nutrition is crucial for children’s physical and cognitive development. Effects of malnutrition on children cannot be overemphasised as they, among others, include stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and developmental delays. These, in turn, impact a child’s ability to learn, thrive and enjoy life in its fullness. At World Vision we, thus, believe that every child, regardless of where they live or their identity, deserves the opportunity to grow into a healthy adult .
QHow can access to nutrient-dense foods to children be improved?
AIt can be improved through various strategic approaches, such as promotion of local agricultural practices, including crop diversity. Supporting small-scale farmers with education and livelihood resources to help grow these foods would also go a long way towards ensuring a secure supply of nutritious options for children in families.
QHow are you reaching out to the children?
AThrough our health programmes, we are implementing community–led complementary feeding sessions where mother-care groups are taught how to prepare nutritious meals for children. We believe that through expansion and improving of school feeding programmes children can be directly and positively impacted, by the regular access to nutritious meals.
QWhat is your take on the long-awaited Food and Nutrition Bill
AIf enacted, the draft Food and Nutrition Bill that has been dragging for 21 years, could help in improving access to nutrient-dense foods for children. The intention of this Bill has been to enhance food production, diversify agriculture and ensure equitable access to food, which could significantly reduce cases of food-insecurity in Malawi.
QWhat should be done to improve availability and quality of diversified fortified foods?
AWe need to fast-track the promotion of diversified, locally produced foods to improve nutritional diversity. However, for this to happen, there is an urgent need for strong partnerships and collaboration between government, private sector and non-governmental organisations to expand the production of quality fortified foods. Fortification standards will need to be enhanced by implementing and enforcing clear fortification regulations for common foods, such as maize flour, cooking oil and sugar, with essential nutrients such as vitamin A, iron, and iodine. Finally, encouraging climate-smart agriculture would also help to ensure that farmers continue to grow nutrient-rich crops despite the rampant climate challenges.
QHow can child participation in finding lasting solution to the problem be achieved?
AEmpowering children with necessary information and creating a platform for them to speak up and contribute to policies that address child hunger and malnutrition will put them at the centre of solutions for the hunger and malnutrition challenges. Furthermore, creating spaces for inclusive decision-making, such as Child Parliaments and or local forums such as chiefs and children’s indaba, is also ensuring that children’s voices are heard in the design and the implementation of the Enough Campaign.
Q. Are three years of the campaign adequate?
A. They may not be enough to fully achieve a Malawi where every child has consistent access to enough nourishing food, given the complexity and scale of the challenge. But we believe that in the three years the campaign can make significant progress in raising awareness, providing immediate support, and launching short-term interventions tackling child hunger and malnutrition requires long-term structural changes. This includes improving agricultural productivity, addressing poverty, strengthening health systems, and creating policies that prioritise food security for vulnerable populations. Additionally, changing societal behaviours, improving access to education about nutrition, and ensuring sustainable food systems take time. Therefore, while progress can be made, a longer-term commitment is essential to ensure that every child in Malawi has the opportunity to thrive.
