Introduction

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. Over the years, WABA has successfully coordinated several global campaigns such as World Breastfeeding Week, Maternity Protection, Global Initiative for Mother Support to name a few. In more recent years, work has focused on social mobilisation along thematic issues, capacity building and global advocacy on issues where there are gaps in leadership. A very recent example is the participation of almost 6,000 health advocates in the Women Deliver conference. WABA and partners from the Global Breastfeeding Advocacy Initiative highlighted breastfeeding and firmly positioned it as part of the global reproductive health agenda.

The focus of WABA’s work during the coming years will be on

a) expanding WBW with thematic links to the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals,

b) kick-starting a campaign on expanding coverage of parental social protection policies, and

c) promoting the expanded BFHI within a conceptual framework of the warm chain. This work will be carried out together with existing and new partners at all levels.

 

WABA currently has five core partners (ILCA, LLLI, IBFAN, WI and ABM). Over the years a number of other partners have been engaged in WABA programs, primarily through the flagship program World Breastfeeding Week. The breastfeeding landscape currently has more actors involved in the protection, promotion and support at global, regional and national levels and WABA must engage with all the relevant ones for maximum impact.

These actors and potential partners need to come together to reach consensus on the technical issues and way forward. WABA will use the occasion of its 25th anniversary to celebrate some of the key achievements, bring in new partners to the movement and move towards more innovative and impactful ways of working to achieve the overall goal and objectives.

 

Objectives

1.To celebrate WABA’s main achievements over the 25 years

2.To further refine the campaign elements of the two main technical issues (EPC and EBFHI/Warm chain)

a.EPC- to promote the three pronged approach to gender equitable parental protection (parental leave, family friendly workplaces/breastfeeding breaks, facilities, supportive norms)

b.EBFHI/Warm chain- to promote access to support across community and healthcare

3.To engage existing and new partners in WABA programmes, including youth, men and academia

4.To explore innovative ways to achieve impact on breastfeeding rates at national and local levels

 

Programme

The programme is designed to include the celebratory, technical and partnership components. The outline is provided in the table below.

 

Expected results

1.Main components of plans of action developed for the three main campaigns (WBW, EPC and EBHI)

2.Partners buy into WABA programmes/campaigns

3.Gender issues mainstreamed into WABA programmes

4.Research gaps identified and addressed by academia

5.Youth perspectives/voices integrated into WABA programmes

6.Basic components for proposals for funding identified

 

Logistics

Dates: Sunday, October 2, 2016 to Wednesday, 5 October 2016

Venue: Bayview Beach Resort, Penang, Malaysia