Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Youth Network, a youth driven effort to advance the scaling up nutrition approach, has been launched in the country to engage youth in food systems transformation and create awareness of safe and nutritious foods.
The launching ceremony was held at a hotel at Gulshan-2 in the capital on Sunday evening.
Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is the secretariat for this network under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare aligning with different ministries and networks.
SUN initiative aims empowering young people with the skills they need to advocate for an end to malnutrition in the country. SUN initiative continues to highlight the importance of nutrition, which is integral to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In a bid to make malnutrition-free country, youths will act as nutrition ambassadors by raising awareness of safe foods and nutrition across the country including in educational institutions.
Mehedi Hasan Bappy, Project Coordinator at GAIN, said the platform will empower youth and adolescents on food systems and develop their nutrition knowledge and skills in 40 districts including Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Cox's Bazar, Gazipur, Kushtia, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha.
Receiving necessary training, the network members will impart training to other youths on the issue and take collective action projects at the community level.
Md Saidur Rahman, Secretary, Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Welfare, attended the launching ceremony as the chief guest, while Md Rezaul Maksud Jahedy, Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, was present as guest of honour.
Chaired by Sheikh Momena Moni, Additional Secretary and Sun Focal, Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Md Mamunur Rashid, Joint Secretary, Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Rudaba Khondker, Country Director, GAIN, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Rudaba Khondker stressed collective efforts of all for achieving success in the campaign of safe foods and nutrition.
Rezaul Maksud Jahedy called for utilising the innovative power of youths for changing the food habit. Saying that many people are now suffering from chronic malnutrition in the country, he underscored the change in the policy issue.
Saidur Rahman emphasised on coordination among all the ministries. We have to raise awareness on unhealthy foods and drinks, he said, stressing coordination among different programmes.
In Bangladesh, access to healthy and sustainable diets is critical for achieving the 2030 target of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 3, 12, and 13.
According to the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2022, stunting affects 24 per cent of children in rural areas, 22 per cent in urban areas, and 24 per cent nationally. Moreover, underweight prevalence is 22.8 percent in rural areas, 21 percent in urban areas, and 22 percent nationally.
