World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is an annual celebration of the role of lactation in our homes, our communities, and the world. The 2017 theme is Sustaining Breastfeeding Together. Join International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) and World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in observing WBW 1-7 August 2017.
This year’s theme celebrates working together for the common good, which produces sustainable results greater than the sum of our individual efforts. Evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding is already available to us. We know that breastfeeding aids the survival of infants and helps them thrive, provides long-term health benefits for women, yields economic benefits, and enhances the well-being of all. The challenge for champions of breastfeeding is to translate globally agreed policies into positive action in our communities.
In September 2015, world leaders committed to 17 goals aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity. These goals are known as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One way to ensure the world’s leaders know what we know—the lifelong outcomes of breastfeeding for mothers and their children—is to show the connections between these outcomes and the 17 SDGs. These goals can be divided into four themes: Nutrition, Food Security, and Poverty Reduction; Survival, Health, and Well-Being; Environment and Climate Change; and Women’s Productivity and Employment. For more information on these connections, see this Lactation Matters post from our 2016 celebration.
The 2017 WBW theme focuses on the collaboration and support necessary to make impacting changes in our countries and communities. Specific objectives for #WBW2017 are to:
- Inform: Understanding the importance of working together across the four thematic areas.
- Anchor: Recognize your role and the difference you make within your area of work.
- Engage: Reach out to others to establish areas of common interest.
- Galvanize: Work together to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
Sustainable development is essentially about ecology, economy, and equity. Throughout the week, ILCA will highlight resources and support available—either through ILCA or elsewhere—to help you create sustainable communities through breastfeeding and skilled lactation care.
Looking for more ways to participate in World Breastfeeding Week this year?
Sign the WBW 2017 Event Pledge Form, and let everyone know that you or your organization pledge to celebrate WBW 2017 by hosting a WBW event.
Share your commitment to breastfeeding advocacy and education as an imperative part of accomplishing the SDGs.
Visit the ILCA WBW event page for #WBW2017 content to share.
For the most up-to-date information about WBW 2017 and to download and purchase promotional materials, please visit the World Breastfeeding Week website by clicking here.