August 19^th, 2026 – The National Child Development Agency (NCDA) and partners celebrated the national breast-feeding week, a month-long campaign to remind parents, the community and partners to invest efforts towards embracing good practices of breast-feeding.

The event took place in Muganza Sector of Gisagara District, under the theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works”.

It was graced by the Governor of Southern Province, Alice Kayitesi; the Director General for National Child Development Agency (NCDA), Ingabire Assumpta, Gisagara District mayor, Jerome Rutaburingoga different officials from partner organisations, and residents.

Speaking at the event, DG Ingabire called partners, parents and the general community to support breastfeeding.

“Today, we call everyone to support breastfeeding. Let’s combine efforts as government entities, private sector, families, men and women as well as all partners,” she said.

“Let’s build Rwanda where children are healthy, well nourished and their future is sustained. Breastfeeding is life and investment. Optimal breastfeeding is central to Rwanda’s development,” she said.

Reflecting on the role of breast-feeding in the first 1000 days of a child, DG Ingabire said that health experts have indicated that breast-feeding helps to contain 820,000 infant deaths annually, and to prevent non-communicable diseases among children.

The Southern Province Governor Kayitesi emphasized that breast-feeding isn’t merely done because a mother has given birth, she urged that it is beneficial for both parents, children, family and the country.

“We should not think of breastfeeding as an act done just because a mother has given birth, this is a parental responsibility and a remedy to both the nursing mother and a child. Breastfeeding is a natural gift, and breast milk is a balanced and special diet for a child especially in the first 6 months of child’s life when they are exclusively breastfed,” she urged.

The 2025 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (2025 RDHS), indicates that among children aged 0–23 months, 79% were put to the breast within 1 hour of birth, and 82% of children under age 6 months are exclusively breastfed.