The Working of IBFAN Africa:

IBFAN Africa regional office remains flexible, yet rooted in a clear set of roles and a broad direction.

The four roles are:

• To consolidate and review the gains of IBFAN Africa and clearly reflect and communicate its current position annually.
• To build the network and its programme by brokering existing valued resources to those who need support.
• To develop the Network and its work in order to achieve the IBFAN Africa Mission, by widening linkages in the region and abroad.
• To act strategically to hold and sustain the gains of IBFAN Africa, both as a network and in its programmes.

It's major strategies include: 

1. Advocacy and social mobilization
   • Educational Information
   • Half yearly Newsletters (latest newsletter), Quarterly News Bulletins, packaged Information, reports and other publications
   • Coordination of WABA World Breastfeeding Week ( http://www.waba.org.br) and its activities in the region.
   • Collaboration and Networking with WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and their relevant partners such as GIFA, INFACT, WEMOS, ICDC other IBFAN regional offices and WABA.

   The Regional Resource Centre is the major advocacy centre for the region.

2. Capacity building, through training seminars and workshops, is one of IBFAN's key strategies.
3. Working with National Governments: IBFAN works through all related ministries and programmes.
4. Influencing global and national policies on related issues : food standards, HIV and infant feeding, the rights of women to maternity protection
5. Monitoring of the International Code ands relevant WHA resolutions, and other global instruments such as the CRC, CEDAW and the ILO convention 183 & 184.
6. Mobilization of Resources for IBFAN Country Groups.
7. Networking

Major Project Focus: A great deal has been achieved and the network enjoys the support of Country Offices, Country Groups, Board members and other stakeholders.

IBFAN broad areas of interest are as follows:

• Worldwide implementation of the International Code and Relevan Resolutions
• Baby Friendly Hospital Initiatives (BFHI)
• Community support for infant and young child feeding
• Infant feeding in Emergency situations
• Reduction of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS through adequate counselling of mothers and education of familis and commities
• The right of working women to maternity protection
• Codex alimentarius and globalization
• Adolescent Reproductive health and development
• Maternal Health & Nutrition
• The involvement of men in reproductive health issues

IBFAN works through Technical Working Groups in the following themes to bring up to speed efforts in these areas and consolidate expertise around them.

1. Infant feeding in emergencies
2. The right of working women to maternity protection
3. Code of Marketing and Resolutions, Codex Alimentarius and globalization
4. HIV/infant Feeding
5. Baby friendly hospital initiatives and community support for pregnant and lactating mothers