Afghanistan Food Security and Nutrition Public Awareness and Advocacy Framework and Plan 2018-2023.

This Public Awareness and Advocacy Framework and Plan is a nationwide sectoral document included in the Afghanistan Food Security and Nutrition Agenda (AFSeN-A) developed by the Government to demonstrate its commitment to improve the food security and nutrition situation in the country. The present document delineates key features of advocacy and public awareness actions that need to be implemented to achieve expected social and organizational changes. Main goal of the AFSeN-A Food Security and Nutrition Public Awareness and Advocacy Framework and Plan is to achieve an improved food security and nutrition status in Afghanistan through the following objectives (i) greater political and social commitment to improve the food security and nutrition situation; (ii) increase financial resources for food security and nutrition; (iii) advocate for involvement of private and public sectors and communities in food security and nutrition activities; (iv) sensitize and motivate influential audiences, policy makers and program managers to take action and create an enabling environment for optimal food security and nutrition; (v) increase community awareness on food security and nutrition behaviors; and (vi) promote stakeholder accountability to align efforts to improve food security and nutrition. To enable change for substantial improvements in food security and nutrition at all levels, is needed a comprehensive Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) approach which means a planned, systematic process of identifying the most important barriers and motivators to change, and then designing and implementing interventions and activities to support and encourage positive behavior. Identified key audiences to create an enabling environment for improved food security and nutrition are (i) multi-sectoral government ministries and authorities; (ii) religious authorities/leaders, development partners, donors and civil society organizations; and (iii) media. The document includes a two-year implementation plan matrix, by 2020, including the main proposed interventions.
To help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, the document aims at (i) strengthening capacity to deliver nutrition services and interventions and improve coverage; (ii) increasing coordination of food security and nutrition-related activities; (iii) increasing affordability and accessibility of diverse foods to households; (iv) increasing the level of production of high quality agriculture and livestock products; (v) prioritizing and harmonizing legislation to improve food security and nutrition; (vi) ensuring food security and nutrition is prioritized in all sector policies, work plans, and budgets; and (vii) improving accountability for food security and nutrition across sectors.
In order to make agriculture more productive and sustainable, suggested interventions are (i) development of strategic plans for modernization of agriculture; and (ii) available cold rooms for storage of agricultural products.