Hong Kong, 17th November 2025 – Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) is dedicated to safeguarding the wellbeing of every child throughout their ‘first 7,000 days of life’ development from 0-18 years old. Providing optimal, natural nutrition is a critical foundation for this development. On 17 November, UNICEF HK successfully held its ‘Say Yes To Breastfeeding’ Corporate Training at Wan Chai Activities Centre. The event garnered positive feedback from enthusiastic participants across a wide range of sectors and enhanced corporate understanding of how to create breastfeeding-friendly environments.
Expert Insights and Recommendations
The training seminar featured distinguished guest-speakers from diverse fields. Each contributed in-depth and multi-dimensional insights into workplace and premises breastfeeding support:
Ms Sandy Lung, Senior Training Officer of the Equal Opportunities Commission, elaborated on the legal protections for breastfeeding mothers under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance. Her sharing covered the prohibition of all forms of discrimination and harassment on the grounds of breastfeeding, as well as the corresponding legal obligations of employees, employers and service providers. Through her analysis of practical cases, corporate representatives gained a deeper understanding of common challenges faced by both employers and service providers. This enhanced awareness strengthened efforts to safeguard the rights of breastfeeding women.
Ms Sandy Lung, Senior Training Officer of the Equal Opportunities Commission, explained the Sex Discrimination Ordinance.
Dr Ka Wai Fung, Medical and Health Officer from the Family Health Service of the Department of Health, provided practical guidance on establishing breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and premises. She encouraged employers to formulate a written policy in providing a friendly environment to lactating employees that include (1) allowing lactation breaks, (2) arranging private and clean spaces appropriately equipped for breastmilk expression, and (3) providing refrigerating facilities the safe storage of expressed breastmilk. These measures not only respond to the needs of lactating employees, and hence improving the general health of mothers and babies in the population, but also help corporates build a positive image and reduce staff turnover. They worth strong support from the employers!
Dr Ka Wai Fung, Medical and Health Officer from the Family Health Service of the Department of Health, conducted an interactive session with participants.
Dr Rosanna Wong, Director of the Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank and Chairperson of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association, outlined the benefits and mechanisms of breast milk donation. She highlighted the critical role of breast milk in reducing infectious risks for premature or critically ill infants. While sharing key achievements of the breast milk bank, she called on more companies to support breast milk donation initiatives. Dr Wong also underscored the importance of the Hong Kong Code of Marketing of Formula Milk and Related Products and Food Products for Infants and Young Children (HK Code), which aims to ensure appropriate, accurate, and impartial marketing practices for related products. She encouraged participating companies to take responsibility for conveying objective and accurate information on infant and young child nutrition to help protect and promote breastfeeding.
Dr Rosanna Wong, Director of the Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank and Chairperson of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association (first from right), addressed inquiries from company representatives
The training deepened participants’ understanding of breastfeeding legislation and supportive measures through professional insights and active engagement. UNICEF HK is greatly encouraged by the enthusiastic and positive response and remains confident that the ‘Say Yes To Breastfeeding’ campaign will continue to build momentum, garnering broad-based support across all sectors.
Dr Barbara Lam, Council Member of UNICEF HK, and Ms Fiona Zhuang, Member of Advocacy Committee of UNICEF HK expressed their gratitude to all participants for their time and commitment to fostering a breastfeeding-friendly environment. Since the launch of ‘Say Yes To Breastfeeding’ campaign in 2015, over 3,000 corporates and commercial outlets have been recognised as Breastfeeding-friendly Workplaces and Premises.
Looking Ahead
UNICEF HK will host the ‘Say Yes To Breastfeeding’ Acknowledgment Ceremony to commend the ongoing support of participating corporations and organizations. New participating companies will be invited to the ‘Say Yes To Breastfeeding’ Acknowledgment Ceremony 2025/2026. We look forward to your support and participation!
Group photos of the guests, including Dr Rosanna Wong, Director of the Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank and Chairperson of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association (first from left), Dr Ka Wai Fung, Medical and Health Officer from the Family Health Service of the Department of Health (second from left), Dr Barbara Lam, Council Member of UNICEF HK (third from left), Ms Fiona Zhuang, Member of Advocacy Committee of UNICEF HK (third from right), Ms Sandy Lung, Senior Training Officer of the Equal Opportunities Commission (second from right) and Dr Annie Fok, Senior Medical and Health Officer from the Family Health Service of the Department of Health, and participants at ‘Say Yes To Breastfeeding’ Corporate Training Seminar
Say Yes to be a Breastfeeding-friendly Workplace:
https://www.sayyestobreastfeeding.hk/en-gb/work-place-info
Say Yes to be a Breastfeeding-friendly Premise:
https://www.sayyestobreastfeeding.hk/en-gb/premises-info