HEWAN MARKS THE WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2025
HEWAN MARKS THE WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK
The Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) is joining the other associations throughout the World to celebrate this year World Breastfeeding Week. In the press release signed by the President, Vivian Ihechu and the Secretary, Temitope Obayendo, the importance of the week was emphasized while suggestions on the way forward were provided.
Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) Press Release in 2025 World Breastfeeding Week Lagos, Nigeria – July 31, 2025.
The Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) joins stakeholders across the globe to mark World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), celebrated annually from August 1 to 7.
Since its inception in 1992, WBW has remained a powerful platform for advocacy, awareness and action around the critical role of breastfeeding in maternal and child health.
The theme for WBW 2025, “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” emphasizes the urgent need to establish and maintain long-term, inclusive and effective support structures that empower mothers to breastfeed successfully.
HEWAN, as a network of health journalists committed to improving public health awareness in Nigeria, supports this year’s theme and urges all sectors – governments, civil society, the media, healthcare institutions, employers, communities and families to play their part in creating an environment where breastfeeding is protected, promoted and supported.
“Breastfeeding is more than a personal choice, it is a public health imperative.
“As health writers, we recognise the importance of consistent, science-based messaging and policies that enable mothers to breastfeed without barriers.
“Supporting breastfeeding is supporting life, health and the future of our children.”
Nigeria continues to face challenges with exclusive breastfeeding rates, despite the proven benefits including reduced infant mortality, enhanced cognitive development and protection against common childhood illnesses.
The 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey showed that while awareness of breastfeeding is high, practice remains suboptimal due to socio-cultural barriers, poor workplace policies and inadequate health system support.
HEWAN calls on:
Policy makers to implement and enforce maternity protection laws, including paid leave and breastfeeding breaks;
Employers to provide breastfeeding-friendly workplaces with lactation rooms and flexible schedules;
Health professionals to offer accurate guidance and support from pregnancy through early childhood;
Community leaders and families to create nurturing, stigma-free environments that normalize breastfeeding;
The media to amplify correct information and success stories that inspire collective action.
World Breastfeeding Week 2025 is not just a moment—it’s a movement. Together, we can build systems that sustain breastfeeding, safeguard the wellbeing of mothers and children and invest in a healthier more equitable future.
The Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) is a professional body of health journalists dedicated to promoting public health through accurate and timely reporting. HEWAN works collaboratively with health experts, policymakers and development partners to improve health literacy and drive positive change in health outcomes across Nigeria.
Vivian Ihechu
President, HEWAN
Secretary
Temitope Obayendo