Breastfeeding advocates call for mothers' support in the workplace

Author: Emmanuel Bida Thomas |

On Sunday, 4th August 2024 from 1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. Juba Time (GMT +2), the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) and South Sudan Women Empowerment Network (SSWEN) held a webinar to mark the breastfeeding week under the theme “BREASTFEEDING AS AN EQUALISER TO CLOSE GAPS WITHIN SOCIETY.”

The conversation focused on the challenges of breastfeeding in public and workplaces, particularly in South Sudan, the need to create a supportive environment, addressing issues such as community support, and access to resources, the significance of breastfeeding as a tool for social change to promote optimal health, nutrition, and development for infants.

“Currently in our environment, breastfeeding has a significant contribution reducing disparities in the health outcomes among infants and mothers providing a range of health, economic and social benefits. However, it's not all good, as I can say, and that's why we have to really put it across to everyone in South Sudan, because at some point we have a lot that is ongoing on and it's not really comforting to the mothers,” says Adut Christina, Executive Director at the South Sudan Women Empowerment Network who was the main speaker at the webinar.

Some questions put across that needed answers about breastfeeding during the webinar included some of the following:

• Is the environment conducive for all mothers to breastfeed? That is one,
• The second one is also whether the community gives mothers a good response at the workplace. Are you comfortable to breastfeed your child?
• Do you all have that fear? Do workplaces provide places where working mothers can breastfeed their children?

Dennis highlighted the need for policy developments and amendments in the NGO Act to support breastfeeding mothers.

Additionally, speakers stressed the importance of engaging men in supporting women during the breastfeeding period and improving maternal healthcare in South Sudan, including training healthcare practitioners, educating the public on hygiene and breastfeeding, and addressing cultural and traditional barriers.

Webinar Action Items including the following five:

• Provide breastfeeding education and awareness campaigns in communities.
• Train healthcare providers on proper breastfeeding support.
• Establish community-based breastfeeding support groups.
• Consider workplace policies to support breastfeeding mothers, such as paid maternity leave and flexible hours.
• Research strategies to improve support for breastfeeding mothers.