Maternal, Infant and Young Child Feeding Nutrition (MIYCN) Campaign
The MIYCN campaign aims to promote new norms around feeding practices among mothers and families, cultivate greater understanding about good nutrition-related behaviour and improve nutrition outcomes for children in the first 1000 days
- Available in:
- English
- ລາວ
In Lao PDR, malnutrition remains a key development challenge that can have a lasting impact on children and prevent them from achieving their full potential in life. In this regard, Lao PDR faces a “triple burden” of chronic malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies ("hidden hunger"), and an emerging trend of overweight and obesity.
To prevent malnutrition in young children throughout the country, it is critical that we understand the determinants of nutrition-related behavior and feeding practices. In the context of Lao PDR, certain cultural beliefs and inaccurate perceptions by mothers on nutrition-related behaviour continue to persist, which can influence the feeding practices of pregnant women and negatively affect the survival, growth and development of newborns, infants and children.
Therefore, one of the priorities of UNICEF’s nutrition programme is to improve infant and young child feeding practices. In connection with this, UNICEF, with the support of the EU, is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health on the Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) campaign, which aims to promote new norms around feeding practices among mothers and families, cultivate greater understanding among communities about good nutrition-related behaviour and contribute towards improving nutrition outcomes for children in the first 1000 days of their life.
Given the strong oral tradition of Lao society and the varying levels of literacy across households and communities, the MIYCN campaign will focus on disseminating information on feeding practices through audio and visual medium, such as the radio, television and graphics, alongside digital and social media channels to reach its target audience.
The multi-media campaign is guided by the National Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy on Nutrition, which was jointly developed by the Government of Lao PDR and development partners, including the EU, World Bank, UNICEF, FAO, WFP and USAID.
The campaign is expected to run from September to December 2021.
