WABA is pleased to announce the World Breastfeeding Week theme for 2011 focusing on engaging and mobilising youth intergenerational work with the catchy slogan of: "Talk to me! Breastfeeding - a 3D Experience". The theme deals with communication at various levels and between various sectors.
Why 3D?
When we look at breastfeeding support, we tend to see it in two-dimensions: time (from pre-pregnancy to weaning) and place (the home, community, health care system, etc). But neither has much impact without a THIRD dimension - communication!
Communication is an essential part of protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. We live in a world where individuals and global communities connect across small and great distances at an instant's notice. New lines of communication are being created every day, and we have the ability to use these information channels to broaden our horizons and spread breastfeeding information beyond our immediate time and place to activate important dialogue.
This third dimension includes cross-generation, cross-sector, cross-gender, and cross-culture communication and encourages the sharing of knowledge and experience, thus enabling wider outreach.
WBW Flashmob
First World Breastfeeding Week Flashmob in Malaysia!
�Feed the Future!� Flashmob at Gurney Plaza � 7 August, 2011
To commemorate the end of the international World Breastfeeding Week 2011 (1-7 August in 170+ countries) celebrations, over 100 local Penangites convened at Gurney Plaza on Sunday, 7 August 2011 and surprised shoppers with a 3 minute flashmob led by youth. The impromptu dance, titled Feed the Future!, was a fun and invigorating way to involve the entire community to support and normalize breastfeeding. Organized by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action and the local Penang Mother-to-Mother Peer Support Group, the flashmob sought to bring a clear message into a public arena � breastfeeding is natural and normal! The team collaborated with local musicians Dhanen Mahes (Ksatriya) and Samwise Wee Kee to create a hip and powerful original song called Stand Up Everybody that calls on people to listen and take notice of how breastfeeding has been distorted by sexual connotations and major milk powder and baby food companies unethically marketing their products to mothers. Choreographed by Aida Redza, the strong movements were symbolic gestures of shielding oneself from the dissuaders around us. The last line of the song ��time to take your breasts back!� is about reclaiming breasts for what they�re meant for - breastfeeding. It�s not just a woman�s responsibility, but her extended network that provides moral and physical support.
The mosaic of faces, ethnicities, ages, and genders in the flashmob reflected exactly what this year's World Breastfeeding Week theme is all about. Talk to Me! Breastfeeding - a 3D Experience calls on people to reach out and bring the breastfeeding conversations into the open! Special thanks to all the women, men, and youth who participated, along with IPG College, AIESEC USM, Fairview International School, Han Chiang High School, Girl Guides of Penang, Intel, Down Syndrome Association of Penang, Zero Fitness Dance Studio, and Gurney Plaza for their enthusiasm and support in numbers!
WBW Pledges and Events!
World Breastfeeding Week is fast approaching! Remember, this celebration is driven by YOU!
Talk to us about what exciting WBW events will be happening in your community by filling out this quick online form. By doing this, you'll be part of an ongoing virtual mosaic display of WBW participants around the world and inform new celebrants of local events!
WBW 2011 Flash Mob!
Ready to get energized and excited about World Breastfeeding Week? WABA has collaborated with the talented Ksatriya and Samwise Music to produce an amazing track for a global breastfeeding flashmob! Dance steps coming soon, but here's the full mp3 and lyrics available for download. Feel free to choreograph your own steps! Stand Up Everybody!
listen up
imma rap about breasts
cuz ev'ry other song
has a line about her chest
and the world's OK with
the sex context
but feed the future and
the world's like
what the heck?
they call it a rack
turn a gift of god
into a sales contest
and treat ev'ry woman
like an item on the shelf
major corporations and
snakeoil quacks
claim to replace
what's nature's best
with powdered potions,
subliminal ads
enough of that
it's time to act
k and waba say
time to take your breast back
The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) retains all rights including the lyrics, song, images and any other information contained in site. You may print, reproduce, retrieve or use the lyrics, song and images contained in the link provided to promote the cause at similar breastfeeding related World Breastfeeding Week events, non commercial, personal, or educational purposes. If the material is used for other purposes, you must obtain permission from WABA to use the copyrighted material prior to its use. No commercial contract will be made or deemed to be entered into unless confirmed in writing by WABA
WBW Certificate
All you have to do is to organise a WBW event and complete the WBW Report Form below:
WBW 2011 Photo Contest
WBW photo contest have been extended to 30th April! Check it out at Photo Contest Page
WBW 2011 Photo Contest
WBW contest forms are available in Portuguese and Spanish. Check it out at Photo Contest Page
WBW 2011 Calendar
WBW Calendar is now available in Spanish and French. Check it out at Download Page
WBW 2011 Photo Contest
Join WBW 2011 photo contest now. Descriptions and forms are available here
Official "WBW Doll"
The new "WBW Doll" is now available. Check it out at our Download Page
Contribute to WBW
Since the inaugural year of WBW celebrations in 1991, WABA has paved the way for hundreds of countries to join together and protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in their communities. Our work would not be possible without generous messages and actions of support from people like you.
YOU are the reason why WBW exists, and YOU and YOUR COMMUNITY are the reason we continue to celebrate each year. We invite you to show your gratitude for the people who started it all during our commemorative 20th anniversary year. Those who donate USD$1000 or more will receive a complimentary full-sized 7'x3' WBW banner!
But, every bit counts! Don't hesitate to contribute whatever you can. This will ensure that WBW remains an ongoing and dynamic campaign for years to come!
WABA does not accept sponsorship or donation of any kind from BUSINESS INTERESTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRODUCTION or SALE of breastmilk substitutes, related equipment, breastpumps and complementary foods.
Are you wondering how to get youth excited about breastfeeding and how it ties in with World Breastfeeding Week? Here is our youth intern, Katherine Houng's, presentation at this year's GOLD11 Conference. Her talk, titled "The Next Gen Effect - Empowering Youth as Breastfeeding Advocates", highlights the importance of building and sustaining youth interest in breastfeeding, strategies on how to engage young people in your personal work, and implications of these collective efforts on the support, protection, and promotion of breastfeeding worldwide.
WBW on Facebook
Join WBW on facebook now. Click on the link below.
The 2010 World Breastfeeding Week Reports are out. to view it, Please go to Report Page
Notice
Manufacturers and distributors of baby foods, feeding bottles, teats and breast pumps do not have permission to use World Breastfeeding Week related text and logo. If they do, they will be deemed to have infringed our copy-righted material.