On 22^nd February 2023, KEPSA CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki and KEPSA Foundation Executive Director Ms. Gloria Ndekei, met with UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Shaheen Nilofer, at the United Nations Complex in Nairobi. The meeting focused on fostering collaborative efforts between UNICEF and the private sector to advance the attainment of global goals, particularly various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ms. Kariuki and Ms. Ndekei briefed Ms. Shaheen on the partnership between the two organizations, highlighting the Better Business Practices for Children (BBPC) initiative, which has been implemented in three phases since 2010. The BBPC initiative aims to promote, support, and protect breastfeeding within the private sector in Kenya. KEPSA has expanded this initiative to informal settlements, aiming to empower women and improve Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) practices within communities, ultimately enhancing the well-being of mothers and children. KEPSA is committed to sustaining the progress achieved in collaboration with UNICEF and addressing any identified gaps to further enhance MIYCN practices and outcomes.

Ms. Shaheen acknowledged the pivotal role of the private sector in promoting and protecting child rights, emphasizing the importance of leveraging agency, technology, innovation, and market dynamics. Regarding access to markets, she stressed the need to continue building economic pathways through linkages and subcontracting of local raw materials for the food supplement industry. Additionally, Ms. Shaheen highlighted the private sector's potential to support the establishment of lactation stations in the markets and ensure digital connectivity for schools, youth employability, and disability mainstreaming efforts. These initiatives align with UNICEF's goals to promote and protect the rights of every child in Kenya.