Sharjah Upgrading Its Baby-Friendly Initiative To International Levels Through High-Profile Conference On International Code

Closing ceremony to be graced by HH Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qassimi

The Sharjah Baby Friendly Emirate Campaign is putting the emirate on the world map of baby-friendliness by hosting representatives of international organizations at a high-profile conference. One of the major goals for delegates is to establish a Sharjah Board for Code Implementation, which will explore the best ways of implementing the WHO International Code for the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes. This aims to protect mothers and babies from unethical marketing practices. The conference is scheduled for 18-19 November, at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs offices. The closing ceremony will be graced by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qassimi: Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), President of the Sharjah Baby Friendly Emirate Campaign and Honorary President of the Breastfeeding Friends Association.

The conference coincides with National Breastfeeding Week, and is part of a wider range of activities organized by the Sharjah Baby Friendly Emirate Campaign to promote the numerous health benefits of breastfeeding. In a strong indication that Sharjah is targeting the highest international standards, the organizers have invited a highly respected specialist lawyer from the International Code Documentation Center, as a Special Guest Speaker. Among the high-powered delegates will be breastfeeding advocates from international organizations, Executive Board Members of the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate campaign, representatives of Baby-Friendly Facilities, as well as high-ranking decision makers in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Commenting on the upcoming workshop, Dr Hessa Khalfan Al Ghazal, Executive Committee Director of the Sharjah Baby Friendly Emirate Campaign said: “With the support of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qassimi, our campaign has come a very long way. This conference is a milestone which signals that Sharjah is ready to follow international best practice in baby-friendliness. When it comes to safeguarding the health of our emirate’s babies and women, we don’t believe that our local standards should be different from the highest international standards. That’s why we are bringing renowned experts with experience in the International Code. We will not only learn from success stories around the world, but actually go beyond that and avoid the obstacles that other nations faced.”

In a sign that more countries are giving greater importance to baby-friendliness, 65 countries have so far adopted various aspects of the International Code. In addition 170 countries celebrate Breastfeeding Week.

Dr Hessa Khalfan Al Ghazal concluded: “By inviting some of the most knowledgeable representatives of international organizations, our campaign will receive global support. Sharjah will not be a follower but a world leader in this field. At the end of the conference we hope to not only have a clear roadmap, but to also put Sharjah higher on the world map so that our babies, women, institutions and the wider society can collectively benefit.”

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