Hong Kong, 29 July 2022 ── Department of Health, Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK), Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association and Hospital Authority co-held an online celebration today to resonate with the global call of World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), the first week of every August.

Officiating Guests including Dr. Ronald LAM, Director of Health, Ms. Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK, Dr. Leung Wing Cheong, Chairperson of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association, and Dr. Sara Ho, Chief Manager (Patient Safety and Risk Management) of the Hospital Authority, attended the online ceremony today.

Ms. Judy Chen emphasized that breastfeeding is vital to the healthy growth of infants and children, which will bring positive effects to early childhood development. She highlighted that UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) jointly released a survey on the marketing of baby formula milk in February, 2022, with results stating that the market for baby formula milk spends US$5 billion on marketing every year, interfering parents’ decisions on methods of feeding their babies. She believes that Hong Kong should further legislate and regulate the marketing strategies in regards to baby formula milk. In addition, she urges the public to show more support to breastfeeding mothers during the epidemic to ensure a steady increase in local breastfeeding rates.

Mr. Ivan Chu, Chairman of the Advocacy Committee of UNICEF HK, added that, the theme of WBW this year is “Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support”, which coincides with the work of UNICEF HK ‘Say Yes To Breastfeeding’ campaign. He added that the campaign has successfully reached out to a network of over 5,000 corporate members and 20,000 professionals through collaboration with various chambers of commerce and social welfare organizations. He wishes that the community would continue their supports towards ‘Say Yes To Breastfeeding’ campaign.

During the event, UNICEF HK announced the result of the ‘2022 World Breastfeeding Week Photo Competition’ . The competition was held from May to June this year and participants were encouraged to express their creativity through taking photos of breastfeeding in different venues, echoing the three campaign themes of “Say Yes for Love”, “Say Yes for Joy” and “Say Yes for Pride”. The competition was held successfully, collecting a variety of photos in locations such as on public transportation, in restaurants, and the countryside, showing and recording the love breastfeeding mothers have for their children during these intimate moments.

The first place winner of the competition, Ms. Samantha Lee, won with her breastfeeding photos taken on a tram, in premises and at home. She shared her own journey at today’s event. The reason she chose to breastfeed was simply starting as a travel lover which breastfeeding could help easing her luggage from bringing too many items during traveling. In addition, she showed her gratitude to her husband and family who have been very supportive at all times. To her, having her two babies enjoying breastfeeding in her arms at the same time gives her the greatest pleasure.

At today’s celebration, representatives from Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association, Family Health Service, Department of Health, Hospital Authority, Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, School of Nursing of the University of Hong Kong, Natural Parenting Network, and companies also shared their views and experiences in promoting breastfeeding, showing their support to World Breastfeeding Week 2022.

Ms. Judy Chen’s speech at the Celebration for World Breastfeeding Week: https://youtu.be/a-yZ7TIIL5w

Mr. Ivan Chu’s speech at the Celebration for World Breastfeeding Week: https://youtu.be/aUX7t0nrT8c