Good nutrition is critical to achieving global development goals—including eradicating poverty, preventing maternal and child deaths, providing a foundation for the economic growth of a country, empowering women, and improving the health of individuals and communities.

Vitamins and minerals—often referred to as micronutrients—are vital to healthy development, disease prevention, and wellbeing. The majority of micronutrients are not produced in the body and must come from the diet. 

USAID’s breastfeeding efforts are guided by the Agency’s Multi-sectoral Nutrition Strategy. As part of this strategy, the United States strives to achieve WHO Global Nutrition Targets, including increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life to at least 50 percent by 2025. These targets align with cross-government priorities, as outlined in the U.S. Government Global Nutrition Coordination Plan.

Women and girls have unique nutritional requirements throughout the life cycle—especially during adolescence, before and during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding.