Awareness
Campaigns
August 2003

August 1-7 2003

Breastfeeding in a Globalized World for Peace and Justice

The United Nations estimates that everyday some 3,000 to 4,000 infants die because they are denied access to adequate breastmilk.

"With increasing globalisation and more opening of markets, breastfeeding is threatened as never before.  Some instruments like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and free trade agreements can be used to undermine health codes that promote, protect and support breastfeeding, under the guise that they can restrict the rights of formula manufacturers to compete freely in the marketplace," said Anwar Fazal, Chairperson Emeritus of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA).  "Breastmilk is uniquely medically and nutritionally.  It is not a like-product comparable to infant formula and other baby foods that compete in the marketplace."

Since the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes 22 years ago at the World Health Assembly, much progress has been made by many baby food manufacturers continue their aggressive promotion of artificial feeding products. Breastmilk substitutes are promoted as equivalent in nutritional value to mother's milk and labels boost that their products are "easier to digest", "endosed by nutrition experts", and "closer than ever to breastmilk." Free samples are given to pregnant women and new mothers at medical clinics and product information and coupons are routinely mailed to them.

Anwar Fazal said, "Breastfeeding is also about peace and justice.  It is the natural, universal and peaceful way of nurturing children.  In a world often wracked by injustice, violence and war, breastfeeding can be a sentinel of peace - inner peace, peace with other people and peace with the environment."

Beastfeeding groups and advocates all over the world will be raising these issues during the World Breastfeeding Week, which is celebrated every year on August 1-7.  World Breastfeeding Week is in its 12th year celebration and continues to provide breastfeeding advocates a platform to raise awareness globally on breastfeeding.  This year, breastfeeding advocates analyse breastfeeding in the context of globalisation.  It is especially significant also because it is the 29th Anniversary of the United Nations Alma Ata Declaration "Health for All" Campaign.

Ministries of Health in several Arab countries will be hosting a variety of events and activities during the week long celebration to promote greater awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding.