World Breastfeeding Week: Previous WBW Themes

WBW 2009 Virtual Breastfeeding Shield Event Pledge

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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.

Sharing your wonderful work will show linkage and solidarity with the global WBW campaign. Send your reports, materials you have produced, photos and we will create a webpage for you which you can use to further promote your WBW activities to wbw@waba.org.my

SPONSORSHIP: We do not accept sponsorship of any kind from companies producing breastmilk substitutes, related equipment and complementary foods. We encourage all participants of World Breastfeeding Week to respect and follow this ethical stance.

World Breastfeeding Week 2009 • 1-7 August 2009

Previous WBW Themes

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was formed in 1991 to act on the Innocenti Declaration (1990) to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. As part of its action plan to facilitate and strengthen social mobilisation for breastfeeding, WABA envisioned a global unifying breastfeeding promotion strategy. A day dedicated to breastfeeding was suggested to be marked in the calendar of international events. The idea of a day's celebration was later turned into a week.

This has become to be known as World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) celebrated every 1-7 August to commemorate the Innocenti Declaration. World Breastfeeding Week was first celebrated in 1992. Now it involves over 120 countries and is endorsed by UNICEF, WHO and FAO.

Overall coordination of World Breastfeeding Week is done at the WABA Secretariat in Penang, Malaysia, which includes the selection of the theme and slogan, identifying resource persons for a specific theme and the preparation and dissemination of World Breastfeeding Week materials such as the calendar announcement, posters, action folders and banners. These advocacy materials serve to stimulate action among local groups, governments, UN and other agencies and other issue organisations for their own World Breastfeeding Week activities in their area/country.

WBW over the years

2008: Mother Support: Going for the Gold Everyone Wins!

2007: Breastfeeding: The 1st Hour - Save ONE million babies!

2006: Code Watch: 25 Years of Protecting Breastfeeding

2005: Breastfeeding and Family Foods: LOVING & HEALTHY

2004: Exclusive Breastfeeding: The Gold Standard Safe, Sound, Sustainable

2003: Breastfeeding in a Globalised World for Peace and Justice

2002: Breastfeeding: Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies

2001: Breastfeeding in the Information Age

2000: Breastfeeding - It's Your Right!

1999: Breastfeeding - Education for Life

1998: Breastfeeding - The Best Investment

1997: Breastfeeding - Nature's Way

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a global network of individuals and organisations 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. Its core partners are IBFAN, LLLI, ILCA, Wellstart International and ABM. Find out more at the WABA.