In Fiji, only 40 percent of mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding, falling short of the global target of 80 percent. Experts have pinpointed workplace environments as a significant barrier to improving these figures. Kriti Prasad, Acting Manager of the National Food and Nutrition Center, emphasizes the ongoing challenge of creating supportive conditions for breastfeeding mothers, despite Fiji aligning its standards with guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
A key issue contributing to this low rate is the high level of stress in many workplaces, where maternal needs are often overlooked. To address these challenges, the Ministry’s Healthy Workplace Policy aims to provide mental health support and necessary accommodations for breastfeeding mothers. “We are trying to have our workplaces address breastfeeding support, including creating crash rooms within the workplaces, which will help mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively,” Prasad stated.
Fiji has set an ambitious goal of achieving 100 percent exclusive breastfeeding, with a minimum of 80 percent necessary to meet global standards. Some mothers have expressed the need for additional support due to biological difficulties in breastfeeding. Penjani Kamudoni, UNICEF’s Pacific Nutrition Manager, highlighted the collaboration with the Health Ministry to ensure that health facilities adhere to essential clinical practices that foster breastfeeding. He stressed the importance of management strategies within healthcare settings that provide supportive measures for new mothers.
Prasad asserts that improving breastfeeding rates in Fiji necessitates transformative workplace policies, supportive community frameworks, and a thorough understanding of the unique challenges faced by mothers. This proactive initiative reflects a commitment to enhancing maternal health and child nutrition in the region, ultimately fostering healthier futures for both mothers and children.