Created after the Chinese melamine formula scandal, the One Million Campaign urges policy makers to provide supports and protections for breastfeeding around the world.
The Campaign petition, which organizers hope will generate one million signatures, will be presented at the World Health Assembly when it meets next week.
From the Campaign website:
About 10 million of the world's children die every year
before they reach their fifth birthday. That is, over 27,000
per day, or over 1100 per hour. Of these, over a third -
more than 450 - are less than a month old. Evidence
tells us that good
breastfeeding practices can save thousands
of these babies.
Unfortunately, not even half the women of the world can carry out adequate breastfeeding. 135 million babies are born every year. Only 64 million women can initiate timely breastfeeding. Only 48 million women can practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
