The MAMI approach addresses gaps in child nutrition services, managing malnutrition risks in children under 6 months and their mothers, and integrating into health systems. Community nutritional screening was conducted to identify and treat acute malnutrition. Additionally, safeguarding sessions were held with the community, where participants demonstrated understanding of protection against exploitation and abuse, and the importance of treating everyone with dignity. Save the Children's complaint mechanisms were also explained, including safe and confidential channels for reporting incidents, with priority given to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases.
MAMI
It is an approach that aims to fill a gap in child nutrition services, regarding the management of risks associated with malnutrition in children under 6 months and their mothers, reducing the need for hospital treatment for emancipation in this age group. It supports the baby and the mother's physical and psychological well-being and is intended to be integrated into existing health systems, leveraging and developing existing services for mothers and babies.
Nutritional screening was carried out to ensure the rapid identification of nutritional risks, prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition in children under 6 months of age and their mothers, using the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tape for mother and child under 6 months in the Community Context.
The activity was ensured by the project's district officers, MAMI, Multi-purpose Health Agents and activists duly trained for the purpose.
Safeguarding
The sessions involved adolescent mothers, young mothers, husbands, parents and guardians as well as community leaders.
During the sessions, participants demonstrated better understanding of safeguarding principles, especially: Protection against exploitation, sexual abuse and coercion in accessing Cash, prohibition of exchanging favours, sex or benefits to receive support, importance of treating all children and mothers with dignity and respect, Save the Children's obligation to ensure that support does not cause harm.
Some testimonies illustrate beneficiaries' perception, for example:
“I realised that no one can ask for anything in exchange for money. If that happens, we must report it.”
“I learned that even an employee or leader can be reported if they ask for favours to include someone on the list.”
Reporting mechanisms explained
In this session, the different reporting and feedback channels available within the organisation were presented, such as: Save the Children's Online Reporting Line, complaint boxes placed in communities or distribution points, direct reporting to team members (Safeguarding Focal Point), reporting through community leaders with whom project participants feel comfortable, anonymous reporting through Save the Children's official numbers and that no participant will be penalised for reporting, reports are treated with total confidentiality, GBV cases must be referred with priority, Children and adolescents have safe and dedicated channels.
