Project Summary
FANRPAN seeks to improve child nutrition outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa by empowering communities, especially mothers and caregivers, to advocate for the development and effective implementation of policies and strategies that promote optimal complementary feeding practices for children from ages 6 to 36 months based on World Health Organization dietary guidelines and per national dietary guidelines.
FANRPAN is adopting a comprehensive advocacy approach, focusing on three essential components: the message, the messenger, and the platform:
- The Message: Our strategy places significant emphasis on conveying high-quality messages. This entails investing in robust processes, tools, and approaches for knowledge generation, ensuring credibility and relevance. Messages will be derived from formal scientific research and the input of diverse stakeholder groups affected by policies. This inclusive approach encompasses formal research subjected to validation and peer review, innovative methods for capturing community perspectives, and leveraging knowledge from strategic partnerships and global debates.
- The Messenger: Effective message communication requires skilled and knowledgeable messengers who can advocate for specific topics and bring them to the public domain. FANRPAN will prioritize capacity building for these strategic individuals, equipping them with evidence-based insights and advocacy skills. Messengers from various national, regional, and global stakeholder groups will be selected to ensure targeted engagement and outreach. The will include but is not limited to feeding mothers, caregivers, fathers, farmers, processors, private sector actors, decision-makers at the national and local levels, parliamentarians, researchers, faith-based leaders, traditional leaders, media experts, youth, school children, etc.
- The Platform: Recognizing the importance of conducive environments for dialogue, FANRPAN will dedicate efforts to creating engagement platforms at the community (rural and urban) and national levels. These platforms are safe spaces for stakeholders to exchange ideas, collaborate, and drive policy discussions forward. FANRPAN’s legitimate convening power and trusted reputation are central to its success, fostering inclusive and constructive dialogue among all stakeholders. This approach ensures the effectiveness and sustainability of engagement efforts, leveraging FANRPAN’s comparative advantage in facilitating meaningful policy dialogue.
FANRPAN Role
FANRPAN is employing Theatre for Policy Advocacy (TPA), a participatory theatre approach, to address issues surrounding optimal
complementary feeding practices for infants and young children. Through TPA performances and facilitated dialogues, community members
collaborate to identify solutions and advocate for action on these issues. This model integrates community knowledge with technical expertise,
bridging gaps to develop effective solutions. It empowers advocates with community support and access to training and resources, facilitating
their role as agents of change. The TPA platform is a permanent communication tool that raises awareness and influences decision-makers.
Mediums like theatre amplify messages and spur change, driving ongoing dialogues rather than abrupt changes.
Focus Countries
Kenya and Ivory Coast