Regional advocacy networks and the advancement of infant and young child nutrition policy in Africa
1
Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3180
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Advocavy networks have been central to transnational efforts to improve child health, with the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) playing a pioneering role since its establishment in 1979. Formed as a people-centered movement, IBFAN works to protect, promote, and support optimal infant and young child feeding. A key early achievement was its contribution to the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (International Code) by the 1981 World Health Assembly, aimed at curbing unethical marketing of breastmilk substitutes linked to preventable infant deaths in the Global South. IBFAN-Africa was established as a regional network the same year to advance IBFAN’s mandate in Africa.
METHODS:
This study examines IBFAN-Africa’s contributions to infant and young child nutrition policy, including its role in promoting the implementation of the International Code. It draws on archival research at the International Institute of Social History (IISH) in Amsterdam, marking the first direct access of IBFAN’s historical records at the IISH. This was supplemented by key informant interviews. The study applies transnational advocacy network theory to analyze how regional advocacy networks shape policy outcomes.
RESULTS:
Since the 1980s, IBFAN-Africa has been central in the adoption of the International Code across Africa achieving notable policy impact through regional conferences, policy engagements, and training. It addressed emerging challenges such as the HIV epidemic, with context-specific policy approaches. Nonetheless, the network has faced challenges, including navigating complex national power dynamics, fluctuating international donor support, and leadership transitions. Whereas IBFAN-Africa positioned civil society as a key policy driver in Africa, its impact has been constrained by these challenges.
CONCLUSIONS:
IBFAN-Africa illustrates the potential of civil society advocacy to shape child nutrition governance by enabling African actors to influence national and global policy. This underscores the need for resilient, well-funded regional advocacy networks to sustain policy impact.
Advocavy networks have been central to transnational efforts to improve child health, with the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) playing a pioneering role since its establishment in 1979. Formed as a people-centered movement, IBFAN works to protect, promote, and support optimal infant and young child feeding. A key early achievement was its contribution to the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (International Code) by the 1981 World Health Assembly, aimed at curbing unethical marketing of breastmilk substitutes linked to preventable infant deaths in the Global South. IBFAN-Africa was established as a regional network the same year to advance IBFAN’s mandate in Africa.
METHODS:
This study examines IBFAN-Africa’s contributions to infant and young child nutrition policy, including its role in promoting the implementation of the International Code. It draws on archival research at the International Institute of Social History (IISH) in Amsterdam, marking the first direct access of IBFAN’s historical records at the IISH. This was supplemented by key informant interviews. The study applies transnational advocacy network theory to analyze how regional advocacy networks shape policy outcomes.
RESULTS:
Since the 1980s, IBFAN-Africa has been central in the adoption of the International Code across Africa achieving notable policy impact through regional conferences, policy engagements, and training. It addressed emerging challenges such as the HIV epidemic, with context-specific policy approaches. Nonetheless, the network has faced challenges, including navigating complex national power dynamics, fluctuating international donor support, and leadership transitions. Whereas IBFAN-Africa positioned civil society as a key policy driver in Africa, its impact has been constrained by these challenges.
CONCLUSIONS:
IBFAN-Africa illustrates the potential of civil society advocacy to shape child nutrition governance by enabling African actors to influence national and global policy. This underscores the need for resilient, well-funded regional advocacy networks to sustain policy impact.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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