Quezon City, The Philippines - Mayor Ismael Mathay recognizes the many roles and needs of working mothers in Quezon City and throughout the world. He has many plans to increase support for this growing part of Manila's population. "The requisites of congenial work environment for women and the supportive policy environments are not fully in place or are inadequate, though perhaps the imperatives are already well accepted." 

Mayor Mathay's statements were part of the opening of the seminar, "Breastfeeding, Women & Work: From Human Rights to Creative Solutions." This international seminar, organized by ARUGAAN and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, has brought together experts on working, women's roles, breastfeeding, and mothering from 22 countries. 

More and more women worldwide are entering the paid workforce. As women move into wage labor they are faced with larger difficulties with caring for their infants and young children. Children's health is often negatively affected by mother's workforce participation. Most critical for young children is being breastfed. Breastfeeding improves health and nutrition and decreases illness among infants. 

Data from the World Health Organization from 1997 for the Asia-Pacific Region show that although 90% of mothers begin breastfeeding, many are supplementing their babies. "Less than 75% of mothers are practicing exclusive breastfeeding in the first four months of life," reported L.T. Cavalli-Svorza of the WHO-Manila office. Yet, it is exclusive breastfeeding that gives the greatest health benefits to infants. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 4 - 6 months of life, and then continued with appropriate complementary foods through the second year. 

Women who may begin exclusive breastfeeding have problems maintaining this, especially after they return to the paid work force. Many worksites lack policies or facilities to support breastfeeding women after they return to work. In view of this, the International Labor Organization will be reviewing previous conventions protecting women's rights in the workplace. Mario Galman, from the ILO's Manila Office, noted that the review process will give working women an opportunity to give comments to shape new policy. 

Employers can profit from supporting breastfeeding by decreased absenses by working mothers due to of illness among their young children. "Modernization with active productive roles of women also carries quite as important and interrelatedly imperative concern - the concern for nursing working women, and consequently, of the welfare of the nursing babies," said Mayor Mathay. "If women have to work, then there must be the imperative of provision of congenial and supportive work environment, and particularly for nursing mothers." 

And the mothers are ready. Lita Nery, of ARUGAAN, noted that working mothers are now ready to be part of the policy-making process. ARUGAAN is a Philippine-based non-governmental organization which supports the creation of mother-baby friendly environments through wholistic programs and services. 

The Seminar will continue through Friday with discussions, site-visits throughout Manila and several provinces, working groups, and presentations. It will conclude with the development of recommendations and actions that can be taken to strengthen recognition of and support for working, breastfeeding mothers.