Breastfeeding in a Globalised World
for peace and justice

What is the WBW?

The World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is the greatest outreach vehicle for the breastfeeding movement, being celebrated in over 120 countries. Officially it is celebrated from 1-7 August. However, groups may choose other dates to make it a more successful event in their countries. Please contact the breastfeeding group listed in the action folder nearest to you. 

What is this year's WBW theme all about?

Globalisation is a manifold and sometimes even an elusive concept for there is no single definition. It has been defined as the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events many miles away and vice versa. The result of this interconnectedness of globalisation can have both positive and negative impact on breastfeeding.

Our goals for World Breastfeeding Week 2003 are:

• To recognise the threats and opportunities of globalisation for breastfeeding practices

• To maximise the potential of global communications to educate people on the benefits of breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding, and the disadvantages of artificial feeding

• To promote and act on the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding

• To prevent the weakening of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent relevant WHA resolutions

• To work with potential allies by building alliances with civil society movements fighting for global justice, peace and health for all

• To think globally and act locally with all sectors of the community to protect, promote and support breastfeeding  

Read more about globalisation and the challenges and opportunities it posses for breastfeeding, and get more ideas for action on the action folder. Click here to read our ACTION FOLDER

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* refers to documents in Word format and only contain text refers to documents in PDF format which also include images

To download any of the following campaign materials, please right-click your mouse on any link and choose "Save Target As..."

GATS Threat to Public Health - A Joint Submission to the World Health
Assembly, May 2003

The Golden Bow
Ride on UNICEF's Golden Bow Initiative and wear the ribbon proudly this WBW as a global symbol for breastfeeding protection, promotion and support! Click on the ribbon to find out more of the meaning of the ribbon and learn how to make it yourself!

Share your stories with us! 

Sharing your wonderful work will show linkage and solidarity with the global WBW campaign. We would be happy to hear from you about your efforts in promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding! Send your reports, materials you have produced or photos, if any, to PO Box 1200, 10850 Penang, Malaysia or email us at waba@waba.org.my  

SPONSORSHIP:  WABA does not accept sponsorship of any kind from companies producing breastmilk substitutes, related equipment and complementary foods. WABA encourages all participants of World Breastfeeding Week to respect and follow this ethical stance. All WABA materials are NOT TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH or BY BUSINESS INTERESTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRODUCTION or SALE of breastmilk substitutes, related equipment, breastpumps and complementary foods.

WBW participants reproducing or adapting WABA materials in total or in part, should credit WABA, by reproducing the WBW logo in their materials. Please send a copy of all translations and adaptations of WABA/WBW materials to the WABA Secretariat.