As we mark World Breastfeeding Week, I reaffirm the Government of Pakistan’s strong commitment to promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding across the country. Breastfeeding is not only nature’s best start in life for a child, it is a vital investment in Pakistan’s future. It contributes directly to our national health goals, economic development, and to the empowerment of women and girls.
Breastfeeding is a powerful equalizer. It offers all children the same opportunity for survival, growth, and development regardless of their background. It is the first vaccine a child receives, providing essential antibodies and nutrients that protect against infections and chronic diseases. It promotes cognitive development and emotional bonding and significantly reduces the risk of stunting, wasting, and undernutrition.
The latest National Nutrition Survey shows that only 48 percent of children in Pakistan are exclusively breastfed in the first six months. This falls short of the global target of at least 60 percent by 2030. Although early initiation and continued breastfeeding have seen improvements, more work is needed to close the gap and reach every child and mother with the support they need.
Breastfeeding must be recognized as a shared responsibility. It is not solely a mother’s burden. We must support mothers through enabling policies, strong health systems, family support, and community engagement. The Government of Pakistan is committed to advancing this agenda through a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach.
The Government of Pakistan is taking steps to strengthen legislation, including implementation and enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk substitutes in accordance with WHA 2016.
We also recognize the importance of community-based support. Lady Health Workers, community health workers, and peer counselors are essential in promoting breastfeeding practices, especially in areas where health facilities are limited. Linking facility-based care with home-based support will ensure continuity and confidence for mothers.
Workplaces must also become more supportive of breastfeeding. Mothers returning to work need access to lactation spaces, breastfeeding breaks, and flexible schedules. Both public and private sectors must adopt family-friendly policies that enable women to balance work and childcare without compromising on the health of their babies.
Breastfeeding is a gender equality issue. It highlights the unequal burden of unpaid care work that women carry and the lack of systems that support their well-being. We must move towards a model where women are informed, supported, and empowered to breastfeed if they choose to do so, and where their decision is respected.
Let me emphasize that breastfeeding is a national responsibility. Policymakers, healthcare providers, employers, media, civil society, and families all have a role to play. We must create an enabling environment for every mother to breastfeed, free from stigma, misinformation, or structural barriers.
Let us remember that breastfeeding is more than a feeding method. It is a lifeline. It is an act of care and protection. It is a right that must be upheld. Let us work together to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding for the health of our children, the empowerment of our women, and the strength of our nation.
