GUWAHATI, Aug 1 - To commemorate the �World Breast-feeding Week�, which began today, a public meeting was organised at the Bishnu Nirmala Bhawan here this evening by the Association for Promotion of Child Nutrition (APCN), Assam, a non-government organisation working for promotion of child health and nutrition.
The theme for this year�s World Breast-feeding Week is �Breast-feeding and Work: Let�s Make it Work�.
The World Breast-feeding Week (August 1 to 7) aims to empower and support all women, working in both formal and informal sectors, to combine work with child-rearing, particularly breast-feeding.
During the week, a series of programmes has been lined up, which including initiating a signature campaign to raise awareness on the issue.
The public meeting also raised a number of issues for those at the helm of affairs to address. Health experts attending the meet also stressed the need for allowing six months maternity leave for working women in both private and public sectors.
The need for having the provision of breast-feeding corners in public places, especially in railway stations, was also favoured.
The APCN is expected to move the State government seeking intimation of steps that would prove vital in lowering the maternal and child mortality rates, besides addressing issues related to malnutrition. Health experts also vouched for inducting lactation counsellors in all the health centres.
Dr Tushar Rane, chief of field office, UNICEF while attending the meeting as the chief guest, explained the significance of �1000 days: Windows of Opportunity�, a golden rule prescribed for dietary needs of a mother and child.
He said that if the rule is followed it would go a long way in minimising the heath complications of both the mother and her child.
A pledge was taken by all, along with a signature drive for the cause of enabling all mothers, including working mothers, to successfully breast-feed their babies and creating a mother and baby-friendly environment at work places. APCN president Dr Sajida Ahmed, presided over the meeting, while APCN secretary Manisha Choudhury conducted the meeting.
People from all walks of life, including doctors, nurses, para-medical workers and representatives of non-government organisations and professional bodies, were present at the meeting.
Journalist Jahnavi Khaund, Manisha Chawla of UNICEF, Garima Saikia of Indian Paediatric Association, Assam State chapter and Dr Shivani Baruah also spoke on the occasion.
