Why Are Our Children Not Growing? — Act for Nutrition (Dawn Media)

Act for Nutrition, an awareness campaign by Dawn Media with Principal Partner EBM, highlights major causes of childhood stunting and malnutrition in Pakistan and urges collective action to protect maternal and child nutrition.

Key findings and messages presented:

• Poverty, limited healthcare, unsafe water, inadequate awareness, poor maternal nutrition and climate shocks prevent millions of Pakistani children from reaching their full potential.

• With food prices increasing by nearly 50%, nutritious diets are becoming unaffordable for many families.

• Limited access to quality maternal and child healthcare causes many children to miss essential services and early interventions.

• More than 60% of drinking water samples are contaminated with bacteria, increasing the risk of infections that reduce nutrient absorption.

• Lower levels of awareness are linked to poorer nutrition practices and reduced access to healthcare for mothers and children.

• When mothers are malnourished before and during pregnancy, children face a much higher risk of stunting and malnutrition.

• Climate calamities disrupt food production, livelihoods and access to nutritious food for millions across Pakistan.

Supporting and knowledge partners are shown alongside the campaign branding; stakeholders and organizations concerned with child nutrition are encouraged to engage with the Act for Nutrition initiative.