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Every year, from August 1 to August 7, people worldwide observe World Breastfeeding Week. This international effort strives to increase public awareness of breastfeeding and its benefits. The campaign became crucial as infant mortality rates increased as a result of fewer women wanting to nurse their children. Know all about World Breastfeeding Week 2024, Theme, History, and Significance here.
World Breastfeeding Week 2024
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and galvanise action on themes related to breastfeeding. It is celebrated from 1 August to 7 August every year. The campaign not only highlights the benefits of breastfeeding but also advocates for and defends women’s rights to breastfeed their babies anytime and anywhere.
World Breastfeeding Week 2024 | |
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Dates | August 1 – 7, 2024 |
Purpose | Raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and support for breastfeeding mothers. |
History | Celebrated annually since 1992, in commemoration of the 1990 Innocenti Declaration. |
Alignment | Since 2016, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2018. |
Objectives |
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Benefits of Breastfeeding | Provides essential nutrients, enzymes, and antibodies for babies. Enhances mother-child bonding. Accelerates postpartum recovery. Reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer. |
Theme for 2024 | “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all” |
World Breastfeeding Week 2024 Theme
The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2024 is “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all.” This theme focuses on recognizing and supporting breastfeeding mothers in all their diversity and breastfeeding journeys. It emphasizes the need for families, communities, societies, and healthcare professionals to work together to ensure that all breastfeeding mothers receive the support they need.
World Breastfeeding Week 2024 Objectives
The objectives for World Breastfeeding Week 2024 are:
- Inform: Educate celebrants about the selected theme of the year.
- Anchor: Integrate the theme into the global breastfeeding agenda.
- Engage: Involve individuals and organizations to create a greater impact.
- Galvanize: Drive action on the selected theme and related issues.
World Breastfeeding Week History
One of the biggest cooperative initiatives run by international groups like UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) is World Breastfeeding Week. Another objective of the World Alliance for Nursing Action (WABA) is to inform women about the advantages of nursing. Since its inception in 1992, World Breastfeeding Week has had a different theme each year. In 2016, the week began promoting breastfeeding to more women by coordinating its goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (S.D.G.s).
World Breastfeeding Week Significance
- The purpose of World Nursing Week is to raise awareness of the benefits of nursing to provide babies with the best nourishment and immunity.
- Breast milk not only gives babies all the nutrients they require, but it also provides essential elements like enzymes and antibodies that protect young patients from infections and illnesses.
- Breastfeeding also improves the mother-child relationship, quickens the healing process after giving birth, and reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
- Throughout the week, there are international gatherings, talks, and workshops planned to address the challenges women experience and raise awareness of the advantages of breastfeeding.