🍼 History of World Breastfeeding Week (WBW)

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is celebrated annually from August 1st to 7th in more than 170 countries. It was established to raise awareness, promote, and support breastfeeding as a cornerstone of child survival, development, and maternal health.

📖 How It Started

• 1990: The foundation for WBW was laid during the Innocenti Declaration meeting, held in Florence, Italy. This landmark declaration was jointly developed and signed by WHO (World Health Organization) and UNICEF, along with policymakers from various countries. It emphasized the need to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding globally.
• 1991: The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was formed. It is a global network of individuals and organizations committed to supporting breastfeeding worldwide.
• 1992: The first World Breastfeeding Week was launched by WABA, in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF. The goal was to bring global attention to the value of breastfeeding and encourage action at the community, national, and international levels.

🌎 Why It’s Important

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. According to WHO:

• It could prevent over 823,000 child deaths and 20,000 maternal deaths annually.
• Breast milk provides all the nutrients a baby needs for the first 6 months.
• It protects against infections, reduces risk of chronic diseases, and promotes brain development.

📌 WBW Themes Over the Years

Each year, WBW has a theme to focus global efforts. Examples include:

• 2016: Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development
• 2018: Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life
• 2022: Step Up for Breastfeeding – Educate and Support
• 2023: Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents
• 2025 (Expected): Will likely continue the focus on support systems for mothers, especially in under-resourced communities.

🏥 EWOMI’s Role

Organizations like EWOMI play a vital part by:

• Educating mothers in rural and underserved communities
• Supporting widows and orphans through nutrition outreach
• Partnering with health workers to promote breastfeeding awareness
• Advocating for breastfeeding-friendly public spaces and workplaces

📣 Summary

World Breastfeeding Week was born from a global commitment to child health and maternal wellness. It reminds us every year that breastfeeding is not just a personal act—it’s a shared responsibility that requires community, systems, and global support.