Evidence equips partners to lead policy change
Region: Asia Pacific
Breastfeeding, along with complementary feeding, can save about a million lives each year. In June 2012, the National Assembly in Vietnam passed landmark legislation extending paid maternity leave from four to six months. Maternity leave was one of the top reasons Vietnamese mothers cited for not breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months of life, as recommended by the World Health Organization. Through the Alive & Thrive project, FHI 360 experts supported the policy change for maternity leave by building strong partnerships, documenting evidence for exclusive breastfeeding and finding ways to reach key stakeholders — particularly working women. Additional legislation approved a ban on the advertisement of breast milk substitutes for children younger than 24 months and other food products for children under 6 months of age. The new policies help to ensure Vietnam’s children get the best start in life.
Funder: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
