Raising awareness and promoting breastfeeding
CORFU. Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year in Greece on November 1-7.
On the occasion of Breastfeeding Week, which takes place in Greece from November 1st to November 7th, and as part of the protection and promotion of public health, a street event is taking place to raise awareness and encourage breastfeeding, as well as to provide information about its numerous benefits for newborns, mothers and the well-being of all of us.
Printed materials are being distributed in Annunziata Square in Corfu Town today, Tuesday, November 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The public will also have the opportunity to learn about issues related to breastfeeding and its promotion in the workplace, by doctors and healthcare professionals from participating organisations.
This year, the World Breastfeeding Week theme is “Let's make breastfeeding and work, work!”
Protecting breastfeeding is a matter of public health.
The message of the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week focuses on promoting breastfeeding in conjunction with work, with the goal of strengthening the rights of breastfeeding mothers. Mothers should not have to choose between work and breastfeeding. All working mothers need adequate maternity leave to breastfeed. Upon their return to work, they should have the opportunity to take suitable breaks and have a suitable space to breastfeed their baby or to store breast milk if they desire.
Emphasis is also being placed on the need for information and support for both partners, as both parents play a supportive role in breastfeeding. The use of paternity leave also allows fathers to support mothers who choose to breastfeed. A supportive work environment provides accommodations for both parents to carry out breastfeeding and enhance the child's health. A support network for breastfeeding, involving the health sector, the workplace and society, is essential to improve breastfeeding rates and child health.
The activities are being organised by the Public Health Department, the Health and Social Welfare Centre, the Community Centre with a Roma Annex, and the Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands Municipal Women's Shelter, along with collaborating organisations, including the Corfu Health Centre, the Agios Markos Health Centre, the Corfu Medical and Social Centre, the 1st Health District of Corfu, and Corfu Counselling Centre.
The Deputy Mayor for Social Policy, Welfare and Social Work, Andreas Skoupouras, welcomes the initiative and invites the public to participate in it.
