bdnews24.com :
UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake and WHO Director General Margaret Chan have issued a joint statement on World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 to 7, urging countries to support the practice for sustainable development.
They say increasingly, it is clear that breastfeeding is not only the cornerstone of a child’s healthy development; it is also the foundation of a country’s development. “In fact, supporting breastfeeding is one of the smartest investments countries can make for the wellbeing of their citizens-and thus, add to their own long-term strength,” read the statement. ‘Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development’ is the theme of this year’s celebration. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding, which means nothing except breast milk until six months of age, is 55 percent in Bangladesh, according to the 2O14 Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS).
The Unicef and WHO say the evidence that breastfeeding benefits women, children, as well as communities and societies, has never been stronger-but breastfeeding rates have remained stagnant for the last 20 years.
“Too many children are missing out on this tremendous boost to their health and wellbeing. Too many women are not receiving the information and support they need to breastfeed successfully.”
“We can make faster progress toward all our development goals by better promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding,” they said. As governments around the world develop budgets and action plans to achieve the new SDGs, the two chiefs of the UN agencies say breastfeeding must be “a policy, programming, and public spending priority.” The SDGs are universal global goals adopted by world leaders in 2015 that aim to end poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change by 2030.
“Only greater political commitment matched with practical action can make breastfeeding a part of every child’s healthy start in life, and every society’s healthier, more equitable-and thus, more sustainable – future.”
“Breastfeeding is one of the most effective-and cost-effective-ways to save and improve the lives of children everywhere, yielding lifelong health benefits for infants and their mothers,” they said.
UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake and WHO Director General Margaret Chan have issued a joint statement on World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 to 7, urging countries to support the practice for sustainable development.
They say increasingly, it is clear that breastfeeding is not only the cornerstone of a child’s healthy development; it is also the foundation of a country’s development. “In fact, supporting breastfeeding is one of the smartest investments countries can make for the wellbeing of their citizens-and thus, add to their own long-term strength,” read the statement. ‘Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development’ is the theme of this year’s celebration. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding, which means nothing except breast milk until six months of age, is 55 percent in Bangladesh, according to the 2O14 Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS).
The Unicef and WHO say the evidence that breastfeeding benefits women, children, as well as communities and societies, has never been stronger-but breastfeeding rates have remained stagnant for the last 20 years.
“Too many children are missing out on this tremendous boost to their health and wellbeing. Too many women are not receiving the information and support they need to breastfeed successfully.”
“We can make faster progress toward all our development goals by better promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding,” they said. As governments around the world develop budgets and action plans to achieve the new SDGs, the two chiefs of the UN agencies say breastfeeding must be “a policy, programming, and public spending priority.” The SDGs are universal global goals adopted by world leaders in 2015 that aim to end poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change by 2030.
“Only greater political commitment matched with practical action can make breastfeeding a part of every child’s healthy start in life, and every society’s healthier, more equitable-and thus, more sustainable – future.”
“Breastfeeding is one of the most effective-and cost-effective-ways to save and improve the lives of children everywhere, yielding lifelong health benefits for infants and their mothers,” they said.
