Friends:

The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2000 is "Breastfeeding: It's Your
Right."  This theme focuses on breastfeeding as a human right.

I've had many requests for the WBW Y2K theme, and noted it hadn't yet been
posted on Lactnet.  The following is some information from WABA, with
comments by myself.  For more info, you can go to the WABA Website
<www.waba.org.br>.

If you have comments/questions/ideas re: WBW, please feel free to email me
privately or to the list.  In the US and many other 'developed' nations,
women's bf rights could use (a lot of) help.

It's good to be back on Lactnet!

--Doraine Bailey
ILCA World BF Week Coordinator
Lexington, KY, USA

------------------------------------
World Bf Week 2000 "Breastfeeding: It's Your Right!"
Each year new research reveals ever more clearly that it is not possible for
infants and their mthers to achieve optimal health unless the conditions
exist that allow women to practice appropriate exclusive and complimentary
breastfeeding.  Thus breastfeeding is a right of mothers and is a
fundamental component in assuring a child's right to food, health and care.

Breastfeeding is a part of fundamental human rights: the right to food and
health.

Every women has the right to breastfeed her child.  Most governments have
legally obliged themselves to fulfill the rights contained in one or more of
the following international agreements:
-- Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) {note:US has NOT ratified}
-- Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
-- Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against
Women (CEDAW){Note: US nas NOT ratified -- Sen. Helms refuses to hear it in
committee, despite requests from his Senate and House colleagues}
--ILO Convention on Maternity Protection {which is currently being debated
and is in danger of being substantially weakened towards bf}
--International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes

What is a human right?  Human rights are those basic standards without which
people cannot live in dignity.  Human rights are held by all persons
equally, universally, and forever.  Human rights are interdependent:  all
human rights are part of a complementary framework.  For example, your
ability to participate in your government is directly affected by your right
to express yourself, to get an education, and even to obtain the necessities
of life. (Source: Human Rights USA)
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