MONROVIA – The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Jewel Howard Taylor, speaking over the weekend in commemoration of ‘World Breastfeeding Week,’ called on stakeholders to use advocacy to change women’s perception about the issues of breastfeeding in Liberia.
By Francis G. Boayue
World Breastfeeding Week, with the theme: “Let’s make breastfeeding and work, work!,” is an annual event that is held every year from August 1-7 in more than 120 countries and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and civil society partners to ensure necessary actions by policymakers, employers, and colleagues to support continued exclusive breastfeeding in working women to their infants.
VP-Taylor, addressing the press and WHO representatives on Friday, August 11, 2023, said while it is true that there are laws on the book in Liberia to promote breastfeeding for infants, it is also important to amend these laws to work in the best interest of the kids.
“We have a policy across our government for a three months maternity leave. Let’s also use advocacy to change women’s perception of breastfeeding,” VP Taylor said as Liberia joins the global community in recognition of World Breastfeeding Week.
Madam Taylor being named WHO Ambassador this year, labelled breastfeeding as an important part of being a mother. And that everyone should go beyond the ordinary to ensure that our babies are felt for at least up to the six months that the baby needs.
The Vice President in an interactive engagement with a team of reporters at her office in Monrovia stated that there are scientific reasons why these processes are now being advocated for women to consider all of the issues concerning breastfeeding.
“It is said that it boosts the brain of a child during the first six months, thereby providing immunity for them.” In Liberia, infants die between the first days to six months if they are not breastfed properly.