RRINEWSS.COM- DUMAI — The Dumai City Women’s Empowerment and Protection Service (PPPA) commemorated World Breastfeeding (ASI) week at the children’s playground on Jalan Putri Tujuh, Dumai City Government complex, Thursday (1/08) which was attended by the Dumai Regional Secretary H Indra Gunawan, Chair of Dharma Wanita, representatives from several companies and agencies.
Head of the Dumai City Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Service, Maini Asna, explained that breastfeeding week was held to provide understanding to novice mothers who have new children under five. Breast milk plays a vital role in a baby’s growth, especially during the first six months of life.
Breast milk provides all the essential nutrients and components needed to build a baby’s immune system. Therefore, the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Day emphasizes the importance of support from various parties in achieving successful breastfeeding. World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August 2024.
The campaign aims to celebrate breastfeeding mothers from various backgrounds and their breastfeeding journeys. In addition, World Breastfeeding Week highlights how families, society, communities and health workers can support every mother in the breastfeeding process.
Dumai City Regional Secretary H Indra Gunawan explained that World Breastfeeding Week includes policies and attitudes that respect women and breastfeeding, a health service system that is friendly to breastfeeding mothers, respect for women’s autonomy and their right to breastfeed anytime and anywhere. “But, now the condition has improved, every public service has places to breastfeed,” said the regional secretary.
Exclusive breastfeeding means giving breast milk (ASI) to babies from birth to 6 months of age. World Breastfeeding Week has been celebrated since 1992 and began promoting various strategies to encourage breastfeeding. This year, World Breastfeeding Week 2024 wants to show support for mothers who breastfeed, ensure they are seen and heard, and share experiences around breastfeeding.
“Let’s celebrate breastfeeding mothers and ensure they get the support they need. Breastfeeding support comes in many forms, all of which help protect the health and rights of women and babies. Women everywhere have the right to good breastfeeding counseling from a health care provider trained, as well as laws and policies, such as maternity leave and provisions for paid rest time when returning to work,” explained the regional secretary.***(ant)
