Managing Director @SightandLife. Advocate for maternal and adolescent nutrition, equity and localisation. Tweets reflect my personal views
London, England
Joined March 2011
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Making Malnutrition History.
What a powerful ambition.
I have spent much of my career saying that if we truly want to end #malnutrition, we cannot only treat it — we have to prevent it.
That is why this evening felt particularly special. To see prevention of malnutrition take centre stage — not simply as an intervention, but as an ambition to end malnutrition — was both moving and energising.
Prevention has always been very close to my heart, and I am proud that at Sight and Life we are working across countries to help turn that ambition into reality.
Congratulations to Navyn Salem and the entire @EdesiaNutrition team for what you have built, and to the @BezosFoundation for backing an ambition of this scale. It was wonderful to see prevention given the platform it deserves.
And lovely, too, to find familiar faces in the room — including @PMenonIFPRI, Kathryn G. Dewey, Keith West and Shawn Baker — and reconnect around work that has brought so many of us together over the years.
Perhaps the most fitting ending to the evening was K’naan singing Wavin’ Flag — a song of hope and possibility.
Making Malnutrition History. An audacious ambition — and one worth believing in.
#SQ-LNS
Fortified foods only make a difference when they are safe, affordable and reach the families who need them, and businesses play a big part in making that happen. 🇷🇼
As co-convener of the @SBNRwanda , Sight and Life is glad to work alongside @Rwanda_Child and @WFP to strengthen private-sector capacity on fortification and certification.
Thank you to all the partners and participants, and to @live2serve and Giulia Pastori for representing us.
@gatesfoundation @RockefellerFdn @unicefrw @WFP @rwandastandards
#FoodFortification #Nutrition
🇷🇼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮
Over the past two days in Rwanda, Sight and Life joined the National Child Development Agency (NCDA) @Rwanda_Child and @WFP to convene a capacity-building workshop on food fortification, certification and regulatory compliance, bringing together members of the @SBNRwanda alongside government, regulatory and development partners.
The workshop was opened by @Rwanda_Child Deputy Director General Mr Gilbert Munyemana, who emphasised the importance of stronger public-private partnerships in ensuring the availability of safe, quality and properly fortified foods that can contribute to improved nutrition outcomes, including the prevention and reduction of stunting among children. Sight and Life was represented by Mr Elvis Gakuba, Africa Director, and Ms. Giulia Pastori, Scientific Project Manager.
💡The workshop strengthened practical understanding of fortification standards and certification processes, created space to discuss barriers faced by food producers, and explored opportunities to improve the availability of safe, affordable and adequately fortified foods.
Discussions also looked at how fortified foods can be better integrated into retail markets and social protection programmes, and how different actors can contribute to a stronger food fortification ecosystem in Rwanda.
As co-convener of the @SBNRwanda , Sight and Life continues to support stronger private-sector capacity and collaboration around food fortification as part of Rwanda’s broader nutrition agenda.
#FoodFortification #Nutrition #Rwanda #FoodSystems
As more countries plan their transition to multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) for pregnant women, Sight and Life is glad to work closely alongside governments, supporting the regulation, implementation and sustainable scale-up that will help every mother get the nutrition she needs.
Thank you to Zambia's Ministry of Health for the partnership. #MMS #MaternalNutrition
🇿🇲 Strengthening Maternal Nutrition in Zambia
Sight and Life’s Africa Director, Elvis Gakuba, met with officials from the Ministry of Health of Zambia to discuss progress in rolling out Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women.
Discussions covered regulatory frameworks, implementation needs and sustainable scale-up.
Together, we can advance maternal nutrition and healthier futures for mothers and children. 💚
#MaternalNutrition #MMS #Zambia #SightAndLife
Can we tackle #hunger and #malnutrition together?
Our experience with Egg Hubs in Malawi suggests we can — by making nutritious food more affordable while creating livelihoods for local farmers.
The Telegraph recently visited the work. We hope to take this much further across Africa, reaching many more farmers and communities.
Perhaps an idea worth sharing with those thinking about the future of food, including @BezosEarthFund
telegraph.co.uk/global-healt…
Dr. Sufia Askari retweeted
At the Micronutrient Forum 7th Global Conference 2026 in Accra, Ghana 🇬🇭
@SightandLife, together with our partners we convened a session on Menstrual Health in Girls and Women, bringing critical conversations on menstrual bleeding, pain and anaemia to the forefront.
The Plenary Segment Session : From Evidence to Care: Hearing Girls and Improving Support Where They Live and Learn
We were honored to welcome Prof. Kristen Matteson , Chair of @FIGOHQ Committee, who shared expert perspectives on what does the first point of care from either a nurse, a midwife, a school health worker need in order to recognize heavy menstrual bleeding and what could change in clinical training or guidelines so that heavy menstrual bleeding is asked about routinely wherever anemia is assessed.
She stated, “Heavy menstrual bleeding and pain are too often normalised because menstrual health remains overlooked in routine care, while first-line providers need simple screening tools, clear referral pathways and confidence to listen without judgement, there is a need to also prioritize understanding of menstrual history/ measurement as routine vital question whenever anaemia is assessed and to be supported by practical guidelines and training that turn recognition into timely, compassionate care.”
This session also marked the launch of 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗦, a global campaign to make menstrual blood loss and its consequences for girls and women visible, heard and acted upon because, 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱.
𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱.
Join us and be part of this important campaign.
Together, let’s STOP THE LOSS.
@WageningenUR | @FIGOHQ | @melindagates | @AnitaZaidi | @pivotaldotcom
#StopTheLoss #MenstrualHealth #Anaemia #WomensHealth #MNF2026
Dr. Sufia Askari retweeted
At the Micronutrient Forum 7th Global Conference 2026 in Accra, Ghana 🇬🇭
@SightandLife , together with our partners we convened a session on Menstrual Health in Girls and Women, bringing critical conversations on menstrual bleeding, pain and anaemia to the forefront.
The Plenary Segment Session : From Evidence to Care: Hearing Girls and Improving Support Where They Live and Learn
We were honored to welcome Dr. @MaryMSando the CEO @AAPH_Africa , who shared expert perspectives on how to close the gaps in improving menstrual health education, dignity and basic support within existing school and adolescent programmes.
She stated, “ The easiest gap to close is information, dignity and basic menstrual support within programmes that already reach girls, access to affordable products, anaemia screening, pain management and adolescent-friendly services also require a wider health system from schools and districts to clinics and ministries to work collaboratively”.
This session also marked the launch of 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗦, a global campaign to make menstrual blood loss and its consequences for girls and women visible, heard and acted upon because, 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱.
𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱.
Join us and be part of this important campaign.
Together, let’s STOP THE LOSS.
@WageningenUR | @FIGOHQ | @melindagates | @AnitaZaidi | @pivotaldotcom
#StopTheLoss #MenstrualHealth #Anaemia #WomensHealth #MNF2026
Dr. Sufia Askari retweeted
At the Micronutrient Forum 7th Global Conference 2026 in Accra, Ghana 🇬🇭
@SightandLife , together with our partners we convened a session on Menstrual Health in Girls and Women, bringing critical conversations on menstrual bleeding, pain and anaemia to the forefront.
The Plenary Segment Session : From Evidence to Care: Hearing Girls and Improving Support Where They Live and Learn
Our very own Dr. Nadira Sultana, Country Program Manager, @sightandlife Bangladesh 🇧🇩, shared expert perspectives and challenged us to rethink how we address anaemia.
She also shared an important overview for the future, 💬 “If we are back at this Forum in two years, what would tell us that this morning’s evidence became care what would you want to be able to count?”Beyond statistics, we need to listen to girls and women, understand their lived experiences and translate evidence into better services, policies, programmes and investments.
This session also marked the launch of 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗦, a global campaign to make menstrual blood loss and its consequences for girls and women visible, heard and acted upon because, 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱.
𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱.
Join us and be part of this important campaign.
Together, let’s STOP THE LOSS.
@WageningenUR | @FIGOHQ | @AAPH_Africa | @melindagates | @AnitaZaidi | @pivotaldotcom
#StopTheLoss #MenstrualHealth #Anaemia #WomensHealth #MNF2026
Dr. Sufia Askari retweeted
At the Micronutrient Forum’s 7th Global Conference 2026 in Accra, Ghana 🇬🇭
@SightandLife, together with our partners, convened a powerful session on Menstrual Health in Girls and Women, bringing critical conversations on menstrual bleeding, pain and anaemia to the forefront.
🔎 From Evidence to Care: Hearing Girls and Improving Support Where They Live and Learn
The expert plenary brought together distinguished voices:
🔸Prof. Kristen Matteson — Chair, @FIGOHQ Committee
🔸Dr. Mary Mwanika Sando — The CEO @AAPH_Africa
🔸Dr. Nadira Sultana — Country Program Manager, @sightandlife Bangladesh
🔹 Dr. Hans Verhoef — Wageningen University & Research
The discussion explored what the evidence reveals about menstrual bleeding and anaemia, what remains overlooked and how research can translate into meaningful care, stronger support systems and informed policy action.
#MNF2026 #StopTheLoss #MenstrualHealth #Anaemia
I invite you all to join STOP THE LOSS campaign, because every period costs more than blood.
Period.
It is evident for too many girls and women, the loss can extend far beyond the blood we see, it can mean the loss of iron and energy, concentration, days in school or at work and the loss of health and wellbeing but with collective efforts we can make a difference across nutrition, menstrual and reproductive health, education, research and healthcare.
@melindagates l @pivotaldotcom I @AnitaZaidi I @FIGOHQ
#StopTheLoss #MenstrualHealth #WomensHealth #GirlsHealth #Anaemia
📣 It is launched the First -Ever !
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟🩸𝗦𝗦 , is a global campaign to make menstrual blood loss and its consequences for girls and women visible, heard and acted upon.
The @SightandLife Managing Director, Dr. @sufiaa invites you all to be part of this important campaign where our message is simple, 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱. 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱.
@AnitaZaidi | @melindagates | @pivotaldotcom | @FIGOHQ
#StopTheLoss #MenstrualHealth #WomensHealth #GirlsHealth #Anaemia
Dr. Sufia Askari retweeted
📣 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗪𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗 ‼️
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟🩸𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗚𝗡, a global campaign to make menstrual blood loss and its consequences for girls and women visible, heard and acted upon.
Our message is simple: 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱.
𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱.
Because every period can mean the loss of iron, energy, concentration, school and workdays, health, and wellbeing. It is time to break the silence, strengthen the evidence, and turn awareness into action.
🤝 Join the 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟🩸𝗦𝗦 Campaign.
Together, let’s make every loss count and every voice heard!
#StopTheLoss #MenstrualHealth #Nutrition #MNF2026
Every girl and woman deserves to have her menstrual health taken seriously.
Yet too many experience heavy bleeding, pain, iron deficiency and anaemia in silence , affecting their health, education, work and everyday lives.
The launch of STOP THE LOSS, a global campaign bringing together girls and women, researchers, health professionals, governments, advocates and partners to turn evidence into action.
We invite @melindagates and others committed to women’s health to join us and amplify girls’ voices.
Help us #StopTheLoss, Every Period Costs More Than Blood. Period.
Join the movement and amplify the voices of girls and women.
#StopTheLoss #MenstrualHealth #WomensHealth #GirlsHealth #Anaemia
On 1st October, in Accra, Ghana at the Micronutrient Forum 7th Global Conference 2026 Sight and Life together with our partners, we shall convene a session on Menstrual Health in Girls and Women.
The session will explore the evidence on menstrual bleeding and anaemia, what it tells us and the urgent actions needed to translate research into meaningful care and support.
We will bring attention to the lived experiences of girls and women, strengthen the link between evidence and practice and highlight opportunities to improve menstrual health services and support systems in communities, schools and beyond.
Register and join the conversation virtually 🔗: mnfconference.org/virtual-lo…
@FIGOHQ I @WageningenUR I @AAPH_Africa
#MNF2026 #SALatMNF #MenstrualHealth #AdolescentHealth #Anaemia #Nutrition #GlobalHealth @MNForum
At the @MNForum’s 7th Global Conference in Accra, Sight and Life is bringing together experts across research, clinical care, public health and implementation for a conversation on Menstrual Health in Girls and Women.
Together, we will examine what the evidence tells us, where critical gaps remain, and what it will take to translate girls’ and women’s experiences and stronger evidence into better support and care.
📅 1 October 2026
🕘 08:40–09:40
If you’re at #MNF2026, join us to be part of the conversation!
Can’t join us in Accra? Register to join the conversation virtually: mnfconference.org/virtual-lo…
𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨. 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚.
@FIGOHQ | @WageningenUR | @AAPH_Africa
#MicronutrientForum #SALatMNF #MenstrualHealth #AdolescentHealth #Anemia #Nutrition #GlobalHealth
Dr. Sufia Askari retweeted
At the @MNForum’s 7th Global Conference in Accra, Sight and Life is bringing together experts across research, clinical care, public health and implementation for a conversation on Menstrual Health in Girls and Women.
Together, we will examine what the evidence tells us, where critical gaps remain, and what it will take to translate girls’ and women’s experiences and stronger evidence into better support and care.
📅 1 October 2026
🕘 08:40–09:40
If you’re at #MNF2026, join us to be part of the conversation!
Can’t join us in Accra? Register to join the conversation virtually: mnfconference.org/virtual-lo…
𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨. 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚.
@FIGOHQ | @WageningenUR | @AAPH_Africa
#MicronutrientForum #SALatMNF #MenstrualHealth #AdolescentHealth #Anemia #Nutrition #GlobalHealth
Dr. Sufia Askari retweeted
An Integrated Nutrition Event at Rubavu District, Rwanda 🇷🇼, this is part of the Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) Project, by @SightandLife Rwanda team.
From strengthening access to nutritious food to promoting healthier urban communities, this initiative reflects the power of collaboration in building food systems that nourish people and protect our future.
Together, we are working towards healthier cities, resilient food systems and improved nutrition for all.
@SwissTPH | @ETH_en | @E4S_Center | @Susagfoundation
#NICENutrition #UrbanNutrition #FoodSystems #Nutrition #ClimateResilience #Rwanda
Dr. Sufia Askari retweeted
📢 We recently conducted a capacity building training to food vendors at Rubavu and Rusizi Districts in Rwanda. 🇷🇼
The training focused on strengthening safe vendor practices, data entry, reporting and activity planning, led by Ms.Innocente Turinimigisha, @SightandLife City Coordinator at Rubavu District, Rwanda.
Over 25+ food vendors received practical knowledge and skills to promote safer food practices, improved data management and more effective planning contributing to healthier urban food systems and better nutrition outcomes.
This is part of our Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) project which aims to improve health and nutrition and contribute to reducing poverty for populations of city regions, especially women, youth and vulnerable groups.
@SwissTPH | @ETH_en | @E4S_Center | @Susagfoundation
#NICENutrition #UrbanNutrition #FoodSystems #Nutrition #ClimateResilience
Dr. Sufia Askari retweeted
Food Systems Peer Learning Session in Karongi District, Rwanda. 🇷🇼
Last week ,Mr. Straton Habumugisha, the Senior Manager , Food Systems at @SightandLife Rwanda, facilitated a Food Systems Platform Peer Learning Session under the NICE (Nutrition in City Ecosystems) Project.
The session brought together food systems stakeholders to share experiences, exchange knowledge, and explore practical solutions for building food systems that are more nutrition-inclusive, climate-resilient and sustainable.
The learning sessions are key to advance knowledge-sharing through collective action, strengthening local food systems and creating healthier, more resilient communities.
@SwissTPH | @ETH_en | @E4S_Center | @Susagfoundation
#NICENutrition #UrbanNutrition #FoodSystems #Nutrition #ClimateResilience
Dr. Sufia Askari retweeted
With 2030 approaching, #GlobalGoalsWeek is a reminder that nutrition is both a driver and a marker of global development, and deserves sustained attention and investment.
At least 12 of the 17 Global Goals include indicators that are closely linked to nutrition. Improved nutrition is a platform for progress in health, education, employment, women’s empowerment and the reduction of poverty and inequality, while also contributing to more peaceful, secure and stable societies.
🔹Yet progress remains slow, and the world is still off track to meet key global nutrition targets by 2030.
Malnutrition is shaped by more than access to nutritious and safe food. Health, care, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, women’s empowerment, livelihoods and access to resources all influence nutrition outcomes. Addressing it therefore requires action across sectors, with governments, researchers, funders, communities and the private sector working together to develop solutions that can be delivered, financed and sustained at scale.
📍This is the approach we bring to our work at Sight and Life: combining evidence with cross-sector partnerships and delivery models that respond to local realities and create pathways to lasting impact.
As world leaders meet at #UNGA81, attention is turning to what it will take to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. For nutrition, that means investing in what works, strengthening the partnerships needed to deliver at scale, and ensuring evidence translates into action where it matters most.
🔗Learn more about why nutrition matters across the SDGs: cms.sightandlife.org/wp-cont…
#SDGs #Nutrition #GlobalHealth #FoodSystems
Dr. Sufia Askari retweeted
𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗿𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝟳𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲! 🇬🇭
From 28 September to 1 October, Sight and Life will join the global nutrition community at @MNForum 2026, convening under the theme “𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.”
Across the week, our team will be connecting with partners, exchanging ideas and contributing to conversations on some of the nutrition challenges that demand greater attention and new ways of thinking.
We’ll also be bringing an important conversation of our own to the Forum — one that starts by listening to girls, looks closely at what the evidence is telling us, and asks what it will take to translate that knowledge into better support and care. More on that soon!
If you’ll be in Accra, we would love to connect. See you at #MNF2026!
#MicronutrientForum #Nutrition #GlobalHealth #AdolescentHealth
