World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and galvanise action on themes related to breastfeeding.
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW)
Evolution of the Campaign
WBW is celebrated every 1-7 August in commemoration of the 1990 Innocenti Declaration. WBW started in 1992, with annual themes including healthcare systems, women and work, the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, community support, ecology, economy, science, education and human rights. Since 2016, WBW is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2018, a World Health Assembly resolution endorsed WBW as an important breastfeeding promotion strategy.
Objectives
INFORM
celebrants about the selected theme of the year
ANCHOR
the theme within the global breastfeeding agenda
ENGAGE
with individuals and organisations for greater impact
GALVANISE
action on the selected theme and related issues
The Annual Campaign
WABA coordinates the global World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) campaign that aims to inform, anchor, engage and galvanise action on breastfeeding and related issues.
Since 2016, we have aligned our WBW campaign to United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We call this the WBW-SDGs Campaign
WBW was started in 1992 to generate public awareness and support for breastfeeding. WBW is officially celebrated on 1-7 August every year.
Impact
Brings together stakeholders from diverse sectors to achieve common goals
Provides up-to-date information and tools for celebrants to take action
Encourages sustained action on a particular theme throughout the year
Facts and Figures
2 in 5 children in low- and middle-income countries are put to the breast in the first hour of life
