Freetown, July 6, 2025: Liv Elin Indreiten, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Sierra Leone, has praised the country’s strides in promoting exclusive breastfeeding and called for renewed efforts to strengthen support systems for mothers and infants nationwide.
Speaking at the Ministry of Health Conference Hall, Youyi Building, during the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2025, Indreiten emphasized the importance of the global observance and its role in advancing maternal and child health.
“It is my honour to be here today as we join the global community in commemorating World Breastfeeding Week,” she said. “This important week reminds us of our collective responsibility to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding—a vital foundation of maternal, infant, and child health both here in Sierra Leone and across the world.”
World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated annually from August 1–7, was launched in 1992 by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action and is now observed in over 120 countries. This year’s theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” calls for increased visibility and long-term investment in breastfeeding-friendly environments.
Indreiten described breastfeeding as one of the most impactful interventions for child survival and family well-being.
“It provides virtually everything a baby needs in the first six months of life. It boosts immunity, supports brain development, and strengthens the bond between mother and child,” she noted. “It is a smart investment in our future, contributing to healthier children, stronger families, and more resilient nations.”
Indreiten announced that Sierra Leone has already met the World Health Assembly’s 2025 target of 50% exclusive breastfeeding, attributing the success to collaboration among government agencies, development partners, and communities.
Despite this achievement, she urged continued action to reach the 75% target by 2030, outlining three key pillars:
Prioritize Breastfeeding: Treat breastfeeding as a public health priority by enacting and enforcing supportive policies, including the Breastmilk Substitute Act of October 2021, which protects mothers from misleading marketing.
Create Sustainable Support Systems: Ensure mothers have access to skilled health workers, peer counseling, family support, and workplace policies that enable breastfeeding.
Promote Sustainability: Recognize breastfeeding as an eco-friendly practice that supports climate resilience and reduces waste.
As a mother herself, Indreiten shared her personal appreciation for the support systems that enable successful breastfeeding.
“I know how important the support from the people around you is,” she said. “To all the mothers, nurses, community health workers, and families—especially fathers—who support breastfeeding, I salute you. It truly takes a village to raise a healthy and thriving child.”
She concluded with a call to action for all Sierra Leoneans to reaffirm their commitment to supporting every mother, regardless of circumstance, in practicing exclusive breastfeeding.