In Indonesia, 59% of children are not growing healthy. Issues surrounding their height, and weight along with the mother's have been linked to malnutrition. This issue has been the focal point of UNICEF's Indonesia, who in partnership with Bappenas (Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning) launched the Complementary Feeding and Maternal Nutrition Frameworks for Action in Jakarta on December 11. The Frameworks for Action, developed by UNICEF and contextualized for Indonesia, highlight how food, health, water and sanitation, social protection and education systems come together to influence behaviors that determine what women and children eat.
Less than half of all Indonesia children consume a diet that is diverse, meaning they are missing out on vital nutrients. For maternal nutrition, there isn’t much data about what mothers are eating. Still, we know that only 5 per cent of women eat the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables per day, and 50 per cent of pregnant women are anemic. UNICEF's work with the Government, and donors is working towards ensuring nutritional education and support is available for mothers and children on all fronts; Panelists from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Affairs, Bappenas, Ministry of Villages, and the Vice President’s Office discussed specific actions that their sector could take to improve maternal and child diets. These panelists emphasized the importance of improving the capacity and knowledge among service providers, district planning bodies and the community on the importance of good nutrition, furthering the need for social, behavior change and better training for government staff.
Maternal Nutrition Frameworks for Action
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