Your Right to Breastfeed
Breastfeeding: a Human
Right
Breastfeeding is part of
fundamental human rights: the right to food and
to health. A child's right to be breastfed is
enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the
Child (CRC).
In 1989, the CRC was
adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
The Convention then became part of International
Law in 1990. In 1991, the government of the
United Kingdom ratified the CRC. In the
following year, the Convention was ratified by
the government of the People's Republic of
China. Then, in 1994, the United Kingdom
extended the ratification of the CRC to Hong
Kong. In 1997, more than 190 nations have signed
the Convention, making it the most supported
Convention ever in the world.
Let's have
a look at the policy in Hong Kong which
corresponds to the Convention on the Rights of
the Child.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child
(Article 6)
States Parties recognize that every child
has the inherent right to life. States Parties
shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the
survival and development of the
child.
Corresponding Policy in
Hong Kong
The Department of Health's Family Health
Service operates 31 easily accessible Maternal
and Child Health Centres throughout Hong Kong.
These Centres provide free antenatal check-ups
and collaborate with the public hospitals in
monitoring the entire pregnancy and delivery
process. After delivery, all women receive
postnatal check-ups and advice on family
planning. |
The Convention on the Rights of
the Child (Article
24)
States Parties recognize the right of the
child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable
standard of health.
Corresponding Policy in
Hong Kong
Breastfeeding has proven to diminish
infant and child mortality, disease and
malnutrition. The Government continues actively
to promote breastfeeding through pamphlets,
posters, ante-natal programmes and counseling.
In the meantime, the Hospital Authority is
reviewing its current practice of accepting
bresatmilk substitute sponsorship with a view to
phasing out the practice in all public hospitals
in
future. |
The
Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article
24)
States Parties shall take appropriate
measures to ensure that all segments of society,
in particular parents and children, are
informed, have access to education and are
supported in the use of basic knowledge of child
health and nutrition, the advantages of
breastfeeding, hygiene and environmental
sanitation.
Corresponding Policy in
Hong Kong
Public hospitals in
general comply with the Joint WHO/UNICEF
“Statement on Ten Steps to Successful
Breastfeeding” and the Hospital Authority’s
policy is to encourage nursing mothers to
breastfeed their babies. It proactively promotes
breastfeeding through talks, exhibitions and
seminars for pregnant women, nursing mothers and
parents in public hospitals. Training, seminars
and workshops are also provided for hospital
staff. There are also breastfeeding support services for nursing mothers in
all public hospitals with obstetric
services. |
Source: Report of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region under the Convention on
the Rights of the Child,
2003
|
