As a practical step towards protecting the survival and health of babies and women, breastfeeding is a central part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is linked to many of the Sustainable Development Goals. Breastfeeding is, for example, a critical aspect in achieving SDG2 and SDG3 — which include ending hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting health and wellbeing.

Promoting breastfeeding practices such as initiation within one hour of birth and continuing for up to two years of age and beyond is essential for improving child health, preventing malnutrition, and reducing under 5 mortality.

Through this Initiative, UNITAR aims to contribute to facilitating breastfeeding by developing and providing a variety of educational tools that will target diverse audiences at policy, organizational, academic and community levels.

Creating facilitating environments for breastfeeding requires knowledge on the science behind breastfeeding and a critical understanding of social and cultural factors that affect breastfeeding.

Furthermore, the course aims at providing the practical tools for promoting and supporting breastfeeding to a wide audience including women, their partners, community, healthcare professionals and employers.

The content of the course stems from our belief that support needs to be provided to women on all levels starting from the smallest nucleus at home all the way up to policy makers.