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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Culture & Society

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From Daily Star · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • New breastfeeding corners have been established in public offices and health facilities in Pabna, Bangladesh, to support mothers visiting these locations.
  • The initiative, supported by the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), aims to provide privacy and convenience for mothers and infants.
  • The project is in line with a High Court directive from November 2023, which mandates such facilities in public and private spaces.

Breastfeeding corners are now easing the daily challenges for mothers visiting public offices and health facilities in Pabna, Bangladesh. A dedicated 6-by-5-foot enclosure has been set up in the waiting area of the Goyeshpur Union Health Complex, offering a private space for mothers to feed their infants.

Now I can visit the UP office without hesitation, and my baby doesn't have to stay hungry.

— Shahnaz BegumA local resident describing the impact of the new breastfeeding corner.

Shahnaz Begum, a local resident, shared how these new facilities have made her visits to the Maligasa Union Parishad office more manageable. Previously, she struggled to find a suitable and private place to breastfeed her 14-month-old child. The opening of a breastfeeding corner at the UP office, supported by the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), has removed this hesitation.

Hamida Khatun, a panel chairman at Maligasa Union Parishad, confirmed that an existing room was repurposed for lactating mothers with CCDB's support. She noted that dozens of mothers have already utilized the space, which is crucial given the hundreds of people, including many women with infants, who visit the office daily.

Dozens of mothers have already used the room to rest and feed their babies.

— Hamida KhatunA panel chairman at Maligasa Union Parishad on the usage of the breastfeeding corner.

Richard Dobey, CCDB manager in Pabna, stated that the organization has facilitated the creation of two such corners so far, with plans for a third at the Pabna Sadar Upazila Parishad. While Maligasa adapted an existing room, the health complex received a newly built enclosure. CCDB's goal is to encourage other government and non-government organizations to integrate breastfeeding corners into their premises.

Our goal with these initial setups is to motivate both government and non-government organisations to incorporate breastfeeding corners into their premises.

— Richard DobeyCCDB manager in Pabna on the broader objective of the initiative.

Dr. Urmi Shaha, a medical officer with the Directorate General of Family Planning, highlighted the particular need at health facilities where long wait times are common. Marzia Prova, a coordinator at CCDB, added that this initiative aligns with a November 2023 High Court directive requiring breastfeeding corners in various public and private spaces, though implementation remains slow.

Establishing these spaces is essential for both maternal and infant health.

— Dr Urmi ShahaA medical officer emphasizing the importance of breastfeeding corners.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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