ABM,WABA,and Breastfeeding Support

Since 1992 the World Alliance of Breastfeeding Action (WABA) has been organizing World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), held during the first week in August (to commemorate the signing of the Innocenti Declaration) in many countries, or in October in others. The week provides the impetus for breastfeeding advocates, governments and relevant groups from diverse locations to work together, or separately, to raise public awareness and support for breastfeeding. It not only links groups with breastfeeding interests, but it focuses the attention of the media, healthcare facilities, and other organizations on specific aspects of the breastfeeding story that may otherwise not be given the attention they deserve. WBW has been one of the most successful social mobilization campaigns undertaken. People in more than 170 countries participate, and it has been endorsed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the International Pediatric Association (IPA). As well as designating a topical theme and slogan, WABA identifies resources and prepares and disseminates materials such as calendar announcements, posters, action folders, and banners to stimulate action among local groups, governments, the United Nations, and other agencies.

This year, the theme for WBW is “Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal—For Life,” focusing on how breastfeeding is related to the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs):

1. Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty

2. Achieve universal primary education

3. Promote gender equality and empower women

4. Reduce child mortality

5. Improve maternal health

6. Combat human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), malaria, and other disease

7. Ensure environmental sustainability

8. Develop global partnership for development

Although the MGDs seem quite diverse, breastfeeding has a significant impact on each and every one of them. The target date for achieving the MGDs is 2015, so it is timely to reflect on what has been accomplished, what gaps there are, and where we should go after the 2015 deadline.

So who or what is WABA? It is a global network of individuals and organizations concerned with the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding worldwide. “WABA action is based on the Innocenti Declaration, the Ten Links for Nurturing the Future and the Global Strategy for Infant & Young Child Feeding” (www.waba.org.my/index.htm), with a Secretariat based in Penang, Malaysia, and a Steering Committee, or Board of Directors, to help guide the WABA's direction. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) is one of its Core Partners, along with the International Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA), La Leche League International (LLLI), Wellstart International, and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN). However, many other people and organizations contribute to the important work that WABA does. As well as organizing WBW, WABA plays an advocacy and outreach role by responding to “critical, urgent and emerging issues related to the targets of the Global Strategy and Innocenti Declarations” (www.waba.org.my/index.htm) and encouraging other people and organizations to do likewise. It has active Task Forces, Working Groups, and Initiatives that support a variety of breastfeeding-related needs, such as the Mother Support, Women and Work, and Research and Health Care Practices Task Forces, the Gender and Education Working Groups Men's and Youth Initiatives, and the Global Initiative for Mother Support (GIMS).

As a worldwide, physician organization, ABM brings a unique perspective to WABA. We have an official liaison position as well as representatives from Africa, the Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and Latin American and the Caribbean who participate in Global Breastfeeding Partner's Meetings. ABM members and other physicians are invited to complete the ABM/WABA Physician's Pledge, accessed from the ABM Web site, declaring their support for the Innocenti Declaration Goals and “going on record” as a breastfeeding-friendly practitioner. As we move forward, we will explore other ways in which ABM and WABA can work together to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.