Addressing The Breastfeeding Challenge: Ensuring Public Spaces For Pakistani Mothers

(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) According to the Pakistan Demographic and health Survey (PDHS) 2017-18, approximately 24% of infants (0-5 months) and 17% of children (6-11 months) in Pakistan are exclusively breastfed. While this statistic highlights the prevalence of breastfeeding, it also underscores a significant challenge: the lack of suitable spaces for mothers to breastfeed their babies in public, particularly in tribal districts.

In Pakistan, mothers often face numerous difficulties when taking their infants out of the house. There are few, if any, designated areas where women can comfortably and privately breastfeed their babies. This issue is exacerbated in public spaces, where the absence of breastfeeding rooms forces mothers to find makeshift solutions or endure long periods without feeding their children.

Hajra, a mother of a three-month-old, shares her experience:“Every time I come to the doctor for a check-up, I have to wait for hours in a crowded environment. It is extremely difficult to breastfeed my baby in this heat while wearing a burqa. If there was a separate room, I could easily nurse my child. But there is no such facility in any public waiting area from Dera Ismail Khan onward.” The lack of proper breastfeeding spaces means that mothers like Hajra are left with no choice but to delay feeding, which can lead to health issues for both mother and child.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child's life, emphasizing that it is crucial for their health and survival. Sadaf Kanwal, who works at a NADRA office, recounts her struggles before her workplace was divided into separate sections for men and women:“There was no separate room for breastfeeding, so I often had to sit under my cabin to nurse my baby. Although we now have separate offices for male and female staff, there is still no dedicated breastfeeding room. It is somewhat better, but not ideal.”

Shaughta, who has worked in a private bank for 15 years, faces similar challenges:“There is no designated space for breastfeeding, so I am forced to use a storage room. Sometimes, we have to ask male colleagues to vacate the room so we can feed our children.” These stories highlight the pressing need for proper facilities to support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace and public areas.

Breastfeeding is a natural and essential process, and mothers have the right to nurse their children whenever and wherever necessary. Public breastfeeding is not only a right but also a necessity for the health and well-being of both mother and child. However, in Pakistan, social norms and the lack of supportive infrastructure often create significant barriers.

The WHO advocates for the right of women to breastfeed in public, urging health care systems, communities, and families to support and enable this practice. Unfortunately, many Pakistani mothers face challenges due to the absence of dedicated breastfeeding rooms in public places such as airports, bus stands, shopping malls, and restaurants. This lack of facilities can lead to discomfort, embarrassment, and even the decision to stop breastfeeding altogether.

To address these issues, it is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of providing accessible breastfeeding rooms and supporting breastfeeding mothers. Several steps can be taken to create a more favorable environment, including: