NGO Organize Stakeholders Engagement To Combat Malnutrition
Nigeria
A Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Heal Youth Foundation (HYF) in a renewed efforts to combat malnutrition has convened a high-level stakeholders’ engagement to drive the adoption and implementation of the National Guideline for Women and Girls Empowerment for Optimal Nutrition.
The stakeholders engagement was organized in collaboration with the Plateau State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and made possible through Development Research Project Center, dRPC Support Initiative Grant to empower Woman and Girls for Optimal Nutrition
Our correspondent reports that, the dialogue created a platform for charting inclusive strategies to empower Women and Girls, recognizing their indispensable role in household nutrition and economic resilience.
Since its inception in 2003 Heal Youth Foundation has impacted more than 64,000 beneficiaries across 12 LGAs of Plateau State, covering Nutrition, Health, Women’s Empowerment, Good Governance, and Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.
The Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Adams Bulus Lekshak while speaking during the event commended the Foundation’s steadfastness and reiterated Government’s commitment to implementing the National Guideline.
He stressed that empowering Women and Girls is “not an option but a necessity” for Nutrition and Sustainable Development in Plateau State.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of HTYF Amb Aji Robinson in her remarks emphasized the need for deliberate Government and Community actions to empower Women as key drivers of economic stability and optimal Nutrition.
She noted that Awareness, Implementation, and continued Advocacy for the Guideline remain critical in ensuring effective interventions. She further urged stakeholders to embrace collective responsibility in building a stronger, more resilient society through Women-led Nutrition strategies.
The Foundation also unveiled action plan for the next phase, which include strengthening partnerships with Government for implementation of the guideline, training Women’s groups on Leadership, Advocacy, and Entrepreneurship.
Others are promoting dietary diversity to mitigate chronic illnesses, supporting sustainable livelihoods through economic empowerment.
Highlight of the event was the distribution of Sustainable Business Grants, with cash donations ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦200,000 to young Women and Girls from Vwang and Tudun Wada communities.
The grants aim to scale up Vocational Enterprises and enhance self-reliance, thereby aligning with the Foundation’s vision of Sustainable Empowerment.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Primary Health Care Board, APIN Public Health Initiative, and the Traditional Council, all affirming their commitment to advancing the cause.
The stakeholders engagement also recommended intensifying awareness through targeted campaigns, facilitating accessibility and adoption of the guideline across MDAs and LGAs, supporting pilot programs for effective implementation.
Other recommendation includes promoting nutrition education for women, girls, and households and addressing socio-economic barriers through entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
They further called on all stakeholders and communities to prioritize Women-led, context-specific interventions, by investing in Nutrition Education, Advancing State-level Policies, and creating Inclusive Spaces.
According to them, Plateau State has the opportunity to emerge as a model for gender-sensitive Nutrition Empowerment, aligning firmly with Nigeria’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
