PHM-Exch> WABA statement for International Women’s Day 2018

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Pei Ching Chuah <peiching.chuah at waba.org.my>

*WABA statement for International Women’s Day 2018*

*Empower Everyone: Breastfeeding and the Transformation of Women’s Lives*

Scaling up breastfeeding could prevent 823,000 annual deaths in children
under 5 years and 20,000 annual deaths from breast cancer among other well
documented benefits. Breastfeeding also provides a strong foundation for
the economic empowerment of families throughout the world. In addition to
improving maternal and child health, supporting recommended breastfeeding
practices could save an estimated USD 302 billion globally each year.
Despite these facts and statistics, many women are unable to optimally
breastfeed due to a lack of consistent information and support during the
1000-day (pregnancy to the child’s second birthday) continuum of care
across health, community and workplace sectors. Empowerment of mothers is
an important factor for continuing breastfeeding.  Empowering women results
in the improved quality of their maternal role and decreases the
psychological distress of their families.  Consistent support for mothers
across the 1000 days has been shown to be effective in increasing the
duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not solely a
woman’s issue - the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding is a
collective social responsibility.

The International Women’s Day 2018 theme “Time is Now: Rural and urban
activists transforming women’s lives” gives us cause to reflect on the
diverse stories of breastfeeding activists.  We share some of them with you
here.

In India, Dr. Taru turns knowledge into power for expectant mothers – and
those who care for them

“One mother following the Facebook post, got inspired to breastfeed her
baby who was going to be born by surrogacy. With help, she has now started
producing milk, one and a half months before the arrival of her baby!”

Dr. Taru Jindal is an obstetrician and a lactation consultant in Mumbai,
India. She recognises that most cases of lactation failure in different
parts of India start when a pregnant woman is already in the hospital about
to give birth.

Read more
<https://waba.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c4737de875c6fa12b87991e8&id=bc60d90303&e=858833e631>



In the Middle East, Dr. Khalid promotes breastfeeding for premature babies

“We are proud to support all mothers who provide breastmilk regularly and
practice kangaroo mother care that plays a vital role in saving lives of
tiny premature babies who are at the edge of survival. “

Dr. Khalid Iqbal is a neonatologist and lactation consultant in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates. He founded Breastmilk is a Medicine, an exclusive
initiative for mothers of premature babies.

Read more
<https://waba.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c4737de875c6fa12b87991e8&id=e886dd9b73&e=858833e631>



Zypo champions breastfeeding among pregnant teens and young women in
Zimbabwe

“With 82% of the population having access to the internet, I hope projects
that use Information and Communications Technology tools such as an app and
various multimedia can be utilised by mothers when they cannot access a
physical health centre. This can be a new way to reach out to young
breastfeeding mothers.”

Nozipho Zypo Moyo is a passionate Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
community activist in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She is particularly disappointed
that currently 68% of young mothers between the ages of 15 and 35 in
Zimbabwe choose not to breastfeed due to a lack of sociocultural support.

Read more
<https://waba.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c4737de875c6fa12b87991e8&id=1ab62f9447&e=858833e631>



In Viet Nam, Dr. Tran empowers men to support breastfeeding

“One mother in Pha Lai township told a village health worker that she was
surprised that her husband changed so quickly. When they had the first
child, he did not care much about his wife and breastfeeding.  But now he
pays more attention and care to both his wife and the second baby, although
the second is also a female”.

Dr. Tran Huu Bich is an epidemiologist at the Hanoi School of Public
Health. He is a pioneer in promoting the role of fathers in child nutrition
and development in Viet Nam.

Read more
<https://waba.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c4737de875c6fa12b87991e8&id=d21511de17&e=858833e631>



Our rural and urban breastfeeding activists embody WABA’s vision of a world
where women are supported in all ways to freely exercise their right to
breastfeed.  They are the catalysts of our Warm Chain of Support for
Breastfeeding
<https://waba.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9c4737de875c6fa12b87991e8&id=d559a43bd7&e=858833e631>that
links change-makers at all levels to call for collective action and impact.
With consistent messages, ongoing support and more skilled help during
breastfeeding, all mothers will be empowered with a satisfying and
effective breastfeeding experience.

We all have an important role to play in helping transform women’s lives to
ensure the wellbeing and survival of children and women around the world.

For more information on our programmes contact:
Revathi Ramachandran, revathi at waba.org.my
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