The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a global network of individuals
& organisations concerned with the protection, promotion & 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. WABA is in consultative status with UNICEF & an NGO
in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).
  
WABA
Countries - D/E 

Democratic Republic of the Congo  

Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview: 32%, 1997.
  • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes: 
  • Few provisions law.
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 0 of 476 total.
  • Length of maternity leave: 14 weeks.
  • Length of paternity leave: 2 days.
  • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage): 67.
  • Who pays? The Employer.
  • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above): 43.
____________________  
Sources of information 
 
  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview - BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF, February 1999 
  • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - This table was prepared with the assistance of the International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC). - Nutrition section, UNICEF, December 1998
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.
  • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage) and Who pays? - ILO. The World of Work, no 24. April 1998.
  • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above) - UNDP. Human Development Report 1998. 

    •  

    Denmark  

    Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

    • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes as of December 1998: Many provisions law.
    • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 2 of 52 total.
    • Length of maternity leave: 18 weeks.
    • Length of paternity leave: 14 days.
    • Length of parental leave (including maternity and paternity leave): 1 year.
    • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage): 100*. Either parent may take 10 more weeks.
    • Who pays? The Social Security
    ____________________  
    Sources of information 
     
  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview - BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF, February 1999 
  • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - This table was prepared with the assistance of the International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC). - Nutrition section, UNICEF, December 1998
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.
  • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage) and Who pays? - ILO. The World of Work, no 24. April 1998.

    •  
    Relevant quotes from the ILO Report V (2): Maternity Protection at Work regarding: Maternity leave, Financing of benefits and Provisions for nursing mothers: 
    • Should a woman to whom the Convention applies, on production of a medical certificate stating the presumed date of her confinement, be entitled to a period of maternity leave of not less than 12 weeks? - LO: The possibility of extending the period of maternity beyond 12 weeks should be examined.
    •  "Should the cash and medical benefits be provided: through compulsory social insurance, through public funds or in a manner determined by national law and practice?" - This should be decided in accordance with national law and practice.
    • "Should a woman be entitled to daily break(s) to nurse her child?" - Such a provision would not comply with Danish custom. (4) Such a scheme would be unnecessarily complicated.
      
      
      Djibouti 

    Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

    • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview: 73%, 1997.
    • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 4 of 8 total.
    • Length of maternity leave: 14 weeks.
    • Length of paternity leave: 10 days.
    • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage): 50.
    • Who pays? The Employer and the Social Security.
    • Women as % of adult (15+) labour force: 40.
    ____________________ 
    Sources of information 
     
  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview - BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF, February 1999 
  • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - This table was prepared with the assistance of the International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC). - Nutrition section, UNICEF, December 1998
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.
  • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage) and Who pays? - ILO. The World of Work, no 24. April 1998.
  • Woman as % of adult(+15) labour force - The World's Women 1995, Trends and Statistics, United Nations. Social Statistics and Indicators Series K No. 12.

    •  

    Dominica 

    Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

    • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview: 32%, 1991.
    • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 3 of 7 total.
    • Length of maternity leave: 12 weeks.
    • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage): 60.
    • Who pays? The Social Security/The Employer.
    • Women as % of adult (15+) labour force: 75.
    ____________________ 
    Sources of information 
     
  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview - BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF, February 1999. 
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.
  • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage) and Who pays? - ILO. The World of Work, no 24. April 1998. 
  • Woman as % of adult (15+) labour force - The World's Women 1995, Trends and Statistics, United Nations. Social Statistics and Indicators Series K No. 12.

    •  

    Relevant quotes from the ILO Report V (2): Maternity Protection at Work regarding: Maternity leave, Financing of benefits and Provisions for nursing mothers: 

    • CSA, DAWU and DTU: A woman to whom the Convention applies, on production of a medical certificate stating the presumed date of her confinement, is entitled to a period of maternity leave of not less than 12 weeks.
    • WAWU: Not only should this provision apply to women, but to her spouse or partner. Extra help is needed to receive the child.
    • CSA: The cash and the medical benefits should be provided in a manner determined by national law and practice.
    • DAWU and DTU: The cash and the medical benefits should be provided through compulsory social insurance and in a manner determined by national law and practice.
    • WAWU: The cash and the medical benefits should be provided through compulsory social insurance.
    • DTU, DAWU and WAWU: The woman should be entitled to daily break(s) to nurse her child and the breaks should be counted as working time and remunerated accordingly.

    Dominican Republic 

    Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

    • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview: 14%, 1997.
    • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes as of December 1998: Law.
    • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 8 of 287 total.
    • Length of maternity leave: 12 weeks.
    • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage): 100. 
    • Who pays? The Social Security 50% and the Employer 50%.
    • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above): 30.
    ____________________ 
    Sources of information 
     
  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview - BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF, February 1999 
  • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - This table was prepared with the assistance of the International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC). - Nutrition section, UNICEF, December 1998
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.
  • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage) and Who pays? - ILO. The World of Work, no 24. April 1998.
  • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above) - UNDP. Human Development Report 1998. 

    •  

    Ecuador 

    Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

    • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview: 51%, 1997.
    • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes: Voluntary.
    • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 95 of 141 total.
    • Length of maternity leave: 12 weeks.
    • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage): 100. 
    • Who pays? The Social Security 75% and The Employer 25%.
    • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above): 26.
    _________________ 
    Sources of information 
     
  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview - BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF, February 1999 
  • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - This table was prepared with the assistance of the International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC). - Nutrition section, UNICEF, December 1998
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.
  • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage) and Who pays? - ILO. The World of Work, no 24. April 1998.
  • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above) - UNDP. Human Development Report 1998. 

    •  

    Relevant quotes from the ILO Report V (2): Maternity Protection at Work regarding: Maternity leave, Financing of benefits and Provisions for nursing mothers: 

    • A woman to whom the Convention applies, on production of a medical certificate stating the presumed date of her confinement, is entitled to a period of maternity leave of not less than 12 weeks.
    • CONAMU: Yes. The ILO should establish supervisory mechanisms to ensure this right is respected, with employers incurring a
    • fine as a penalty for non-respect. The period of maternity leave should be independent of holidays to ensure that the employer cannot reduce the maternity leave if the confinement occurs during holiday leave.
    • National Federation of Chambers of Industry of Ecuador: The main requirement that a medical certificate confirming the state of pregnancy and the approximate date of birth be issued should be maintained.
    • UGTE: No. The woman should have the right to the 14 weeks' leave, even if confinement occurs earlier than the presumed date. In the event of miscarriage, the woman should be entitled to at least two weeks' compulsory leave.
    • The cash and the medical benefits should be provided through compulsory social insurance and in a manner determined by national law and practice.
    • The woman should be entitled to daily break(s) to nurse her child and the breaks should be counted as working time and remunerated accordingly.

    Egypt 

    Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

    • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview: 53%, 1997.
    • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes: Being studied.
    • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 95 of 3880 total.
    • Length of maternity leave: 50 days.
    • Length of paternity leave: 3 days.
    • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage): 100.
    • Who pays? The Social Security and the Employer.
    • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above): 29.
    ____________________ 
    Sources of information 
     
  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview - BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF, February 1999 
  • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - This table was prepared with the assistance of the International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC). - Nutrition section, UNICEF, December 1998
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.
  • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage) and Who pays? - ILO. The World of Work, no 24. April 1998.
  • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above) - UNDP. Human Development Report 1998. 

    •  

    Relevant quotes from the ILO Report V (2): Maternity Protection at Work regarding: Financing of benefits and Provisions for nursing mothers: 

    • The cash and the medical benefits should be provided through compulsory social insurance.
    • The woman should be entitled to daily break(s) to nurse her child and the breaks should be counted as working time and remunerated accordingly.

    El Salvador 

    Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

    • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview: 20%, 1993.
    • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes as of December 1998: Measure drafted awaiting final approval.
    • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 23 of 26 total.
    • Length of maternity leave: 12 weeks.
    • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage): 100.
    • Who pays? The Social Security.
    • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above): 35.
    ____________________ 
    Sources of information 
     
  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview - BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF, February 1999 
  • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - This table was prepared with the assistance of the International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC). - Nutrition section, UNICEF, December 1998
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.
  • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage) and Who pays? - ILO. The World of Work, no 24. April 1998.
  • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above) - UNDP. Human Development Report 1998. 

    •  

    Relevant quotes from the ILO Report V (2): Maternity Protection at Work regarding: Maternity leave, Financing of benefits and Provisions for nursing mothers: 

    • A woman to whom the Convention applies, on production of a medical certificate stating the presumed date of her confinement, is entitled to a period of maternity leave of not less than 12 weeks.
    • The cash and the medical benefits should be provided through compulsory social insurance.
    • The woman should be entitled to daily break(s) to nurse her child and the breaks should be counted as working time and remunerated accordingly.

    Equatorial Guinea 

    Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

    • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 0 of 29 total.
    • Length of maternity leave: 12 weeks.
    • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage): 7.
    • Who pays? Social security.
    • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above): 35.
    ____________________ 
    Sources of information 
     
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.
  • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage) and Who pays? - ILO. The World of Work, no 24. April 1998.
  • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above) - UNDP. Human Development Report 1998. 

    •  

    Eritrea 

    Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

    • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview: 66%, 1995.
    • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes: Being studied.
    • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 46 of 46 total.
    • Length of maternity leave: 2 months.
    • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above): 47.
    ____________________ 
    Sources of information 
     
  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview - BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF, February 1999 
  • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - This table was prepared with the assistance of the International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC). - Nutrition section, UNICEF, December 1998
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.
  • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above) - UNDP. Human Development Report 1998. 

    •  

    Estonia 

    Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

    • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview: 27%, 1989.
    • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes as of December 1998: No action.
    • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 0 of 17 total.
    • Length of maternity leave: 18 weeks.
    ____________________ 
    Sources of information 
     
  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview - BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF, February 1999 
  • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - This table was prepared with the assistance of the International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC). - Nutrition section, UNICEF, December 1998
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.

    • Relevant quotes from the ILO Report V (2): Maternity Protection at Work regarding: Maternity leave, Financing of benefits and Provisions for nursing mothers: 

    • Should a woman to whom the Convention applies, on production of a medical certificate stating the presumed date of her confinement, be entitled to a period of maternity leave of not less than 12 weeks? - The period of maternity leave should be not less than 14 weeks. 
    • The cash and the medical benefits should be provided through compulsory social insurance, public funds and in a manner determined by national law and practice.
    • The woman should be entitled to daily break(s) to nurse her child and the breaks should be counted as working time and remunerated accordingly.

    Ethiopia 

    Current situation in the country regarding breastfeeding: 

    • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview: 74%, 1992.
    • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes: 
    • Few provisions law.
    • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding: 0 of 224 total.
    • Length of maternity leave: 90 days.
    • Length of paternity leave: 5 days.
    • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage): 100.
    • Who pays? The Employer.
    • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above): 40.
    ____________________ 
    Sources of information 
     
  • Percent of all infants aged 0-4 months who were exclusively breast-fed the day before a survey interview - BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF, February 1999 
  • National Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - This table was prepared with the assistance of the International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC). - Nutrition section, UNICEF, December 1998
  • Number of hospitals/maternities officially designated by UNICEF as "Baby Friendly," having fulfilled 10 criteria supportive of breastfeeding - Country Profiles (BFHI analysis report, Nutrition section, UNICEF), February 1999.
  • Length of maternity, paternity and parental leave -The World of Work, No. 24. April 1998; and for those not included there, Conditions of Work Digest: Maternity and work, Vol. 13, 1994.
  • Cash benefits for maternity leave (per cent of wage) and Who pays? - ILO. The World of Work, no 24. April 1998.
  • Women's share of adult labour force (% age 15 and above) - UNDP. Human Development Report 1998. 

    •  
    Relevant quotes from the ILO Report V (2): Maternity Protection at Work regarding: Maternity leave, Financing of benefits and Provisions for nursing mothers: 
    • A woman to whom the Convention applies, on production of a medical certificate stating the presumed date of her confinement, is entitled to a period of maternity leave of not less than 12 weeks.
    • The cash and the medical benefits should be provided in a manner determined by national law and practice.

      • The woman should be entitled to daily break(s) to nurse her child and the breaks should be counted as working time and remunerated accordingly.
     
     
     

      Country Situation Files  - Alphabetical order

      A    |    B    |    C    |    D    |    E    |    F    |    G    |    H    |

      I     |    J    |    K    |    L    |    M    |    N   |    O    |    P    |

      Q    |    R   |    S     |    T   |    U    |    V   |    W   |    Y    | Z

World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action
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