In Mukura Sector, Rutsiro District, on Friday, June 20, 2025, the Week of Breastfeeding Campaign was officially launched.
During the event, Yves Ntirugura, a staff member from the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), emphasized the importance of child care from birth. He said:
“A child is born into a family and grows up there. It is very important to take care of the child from the very beginning so that they grow well both mentally and physically. That is why the baby must be breastfed immediately after birth, avoiding the practice of giving them water or other substances that may harm their health. Breast milk should be exclusive for the first six months, and complementary feeding should only start afterward.”
He pointed out some gaps that affect children’s growth, including delays in initiating breastfeeding after birth, giving complementary food too early, or delaying it beyond the recommended period. He also stressed the role of men in child care, noting that many abandon this responsibility to women alone.
“Fathers should support mothers with household responsibilities and ensure they get proper nutrition so they can breastfeed effectively. Another concern is the vulnerability of teenage mothers, as about 25% of children born to them face stunting.”
Rutsiro District Mayor, Dativa Kayitesi, explained that the campaign aims to fight child stunting in the district.
“In 2024, the stunting rate in our district was at 49%, but we have managed to reduce it to 30%. However, our target is 19%, so this campaign is an important step toward that goal. We encourage mothers to breastfeed exclusively and on time, and to provide children with balanced diets using locally available foods. For example, we have a factory producing fish powder here in our district, and we encourage parents to use it since it contributes to good nutrition. Families should also establish kitchen gardens, maintain hygiene, and ensure every household has a proper latrine and a clean living environment. We believe that by the end of this campaign, we will have made tangible progress in reducing child stunting.”
One of the participants, Mukamana Beatha, a mother, expressed her commitment to adopting the lessons from the campaign.
“We realized that the practices required to prevent stunting are not difficult. For instance, we used to give newborns warm water before breastfeeding them, but we learned that this is not healthy. Instead, the baby should be breastfed immediately after birth. We also learned that fathers should actively participate in raising children. From now on, we will apply this guidance so that our children can grow up healthy.”
Gashonga Jean Claude
