United Nations(UN)’s World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is annually observed across the globe from 1st to 7th August to encourage breastfeeding which contributes to the health of babies across the Globe. The annual observance of the WBW is organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action(WABA).
- The WBW also commemorates the signing of the Innocenti Declaration in August 1990 in Florence, Italy.
- The theme of World Breastfeeding Week chosen by WABA is “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”.
- This is in line with 2 thematic areas of the WBW Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 campaign which highlights the relation between breastfeeding and survival, health and wellbeing of women, children and nations.
Innocenti Declaration:
The Innocenti Declaration was signed by government policymakers, World Health Organisation(WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund(UNICEF)and other organisations to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Background:
i.The World Breastfeeding Week is a global campaign of WABA organised in collaboration with the WHO and UNICEF.
ii.World Breastfeeding Week was first observed in 1992.
World Breastfeeding Week Campaign 2021:
i.The annual WBW campaign is coordinated by the WABA.
ii.WBW has been aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since 2016, which is known as the WBW-SDGs Campaign.
iii.The World Health Assembly(WHA) resolution in 2018, endorsed WBW as an important breastfeeding promotion strategy.
Aim:
To create awareness and highlight the action on the themes related to breastfeeding.
Objectives of the 2021 campaign:
- To create awareness about the importance of protecting breastfeeding
- To highlight breastfeeding support as a major public health responsibility
- To engage with individuals and organisations to create greater impacts
- To initiate the actions on protecting breastfeeding to improve public health.
Efforts to promote breastfeeding:
i.The WHO is committed to support the implementation of the “Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition”.
ii.The plan includes 6 targets, one of which is to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months up to at least 50% by 2025.
About World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action(WABA):
Chairperson– Felicity Savage
Executive Director– Amal Omer Salim
Headquarters– Penang, Malaysia
