The Standing Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV and AIDS (SCORA), Bangladesh Medical Students' Society (BMSS Bangladesh) with the collaboration of Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation (BBF) is organizing the dynamic awareness campaign named 'Winning Before Weaning' to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2021. 

According to WHO, nearly 2 out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months—a rate that has not improved in 2 decades. Over 820,000 children could be saved yearly if all children 0-23 months were optimally breastfed. In a silver lining in the pandemic era, Bangladesh has ranked first in the world in supporting lactating women. But around 61% women in Bangladesh practice exclusive breastfeeding. One in every three children in Bangladesh do not breastfeed exclusively.

This initiative will highlight the success we have made and the challenges we have ahead. The impact of breastfeeding on cognitive development, behavior, social adaptation and understanding of the infant and wellbeing of the mother will be emphasized throughout this campaign. 

Till the end of August 2021, impactful awareness initiatives will be organized like webinar with BBF, organizing the very first public speaking competition on breastfeeding, capacity building sessions to train doctors and medical students effectively on breastfeeding and so on.  The event will create an On-field Awareness campaign in medical colleges throughout Bangladesh through mobilizing medical students to organize advocacy sessions in the maternity wards. 

During the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 Pandemic, SCORA, BMSS Bangladesh and BFF is launching this event to highlight the golden shades of breastfeeding. This event will not only cover IFMSA Focus Area : Maternal Health and Access to Safe Abortion but also contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 3. 

With every activity, SCORA, BMSS Bangladesh creates a safe platform. This event will give the stage where everyone can advocate without any stigma, fear or prejudice. This step will be highly beneficial to establish breastfeeding corners in institutions all across Bangladesh and eradicate the stigma associated with breastfeeding. 

BDST: 1631 HRS, AUG 30, 2021
SMS