Despite the heightened awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding, there is still a low rate of breastfeeding practices in Nigeria. This is because of the social inequalities against nursing mothers who struggle to live above these challenges.
According to epidemiologists, breastfeeding has become a social justice and health equity issue, and is no longer for rocking chairs.
Studies have shown that cultural and societal attitudes, poor family and social support, embarrassment about feeding in public, lactation problems including ignorance, and other psychological influences exacerbate the marginalization of nursing mothers. Such inequalities range from access to healthcare, education, employment, leadership roles, etc.
To address the social inequities and injustices in the opportunities and resources affecting the patterns of resourceful breastfeeding mothers, education and support from family and society are paramount. Also, the implementation of maternal legal rights will protect working nursing mothers from every form of social injustice and discrimination.
Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.
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