Working Together Across Sectors and Generations
Breastfeeding is a vital part of sustainable development and a non-negotiable component of global action to end malnutrition. Increased rates of exclusive and continued breastfeeding can only be achieved by cooperating and collaborating across sectors and generations.
Fortunately, the importance of working in partnership is increasingly recognized as a critical factor and incorporated into many global initiatives. For example, Women Deliver’s Deliver for Good campaign and Every Woman Every Child’s Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health recognize that cross-collaboration is fundamental in achieving the SDGs. The campaigns place access to good nutrition as a central recommendation. Breastfeeding is included as a target to ensure maternal and child survival, health and nutrition.
We must advocate that governments – in partnership with civil-society movements and others working for the common good – create environments that allow women and children to thrive. We must also focus on young people and vulnerable groups, such as adolescents, single mothers, and migrants.
Breastfeeding is not just a woman’s issue or the sole responsibility of a woman – the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding is a collective societal responsibility shared by us all.
In 2016, WABA began the 15-year journey to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by linking each of these goals to breastfeeding. But, we cannot achieve sustainable development without multi-level partnerships at all levels.
The World Breastfeeding Week’s 25th year in 2017 is about working together for the common good!
#WBW2017 will call on advocates and activists, decision-makers and celebrants to forge new and purposeful partnerships. Together, let’s attract political support, media attention, participation of young people and widen our pool of celebrants and supporters.
Only then can we campaign for a generation and commit to achieving the SDGs by 2030.
