Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Childhood Obesity Prevention (COP) Project – September 2018
Specific Project Outcome: Advocate for an equitable national policy that promotes and facilitates exclusive breastfeeding in the workplace in Barbados.
The Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Foundation (BCNF) COP Project Highlights
A communication plan using mass and social media to advocate for, promote, and facilitate breastfeeding, especially in the workplace, was rolled out.
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- BCNF advocacy efforts around breastfeeding, especially in the workplace, which stemmed from CDB COP Project activities received detailed coverage in key national media publications such as:
- Barbados in need of a workplace breastfeeding policy – Barbados Advocate, August 2, 2018
- Companies should facilitate breastfeeding mums – CBC News August 16, 2018
- A series of social media visuals promoting the BCNF project theme ‘Feeding Our Future’ were created and disseminated through the BCNF Facebook page.
- BCNF advocacy efforts around breastfeeding, especially in the workplace, which stemmed from CDB COP Project activities received detailed coverage in key national media publications such as:
- Public service announcements (PSAs) were created and run on Capital Media HD 99.3 promoting information on breastfeeding and the link to childhood obesity as well as celebrating World Breastfeeding Week 2018.
Sample image used in posts from the ‘Feeding Our Future’ Social Media Campaign
Draft Breastfeeding Workplace Policy developed and shared with key stakeholders
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Cover of Draft Breastfeeding Workplace Policy
A draft Breastfeeding Policy Brief is being developed in collaboration with the HCC Secretariat. The aim of the Policy Brief is to provide local and regional guidance to other NGOs and governments on the recommendations for best practice in breastfeeding policy.
- To demonstrate the recommendations in the draft Policy Brief and contribute to the development and implementation of a national breastfeeding workplace policy a Draft BCNF Breastfeeding Workplace Policy was prepared and disseminated to key stakeholders for feedback.
- The BCNF had productive meetings with the labour unions that represent a wide cross-section of the Barbadian workforce. The unions expressed support for the BCNF and the Draft Breastfeeding Workplace policy.
- On August 15th the BCNF held a joint stakeholder meeting at The Savannah Hotel to gain feedback on the draft breastfeeding workplace policy. A variety of stakeholders such as business leaders, high-level representatives from employer organisations, government and CSOs, including the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) were invited. Independent, retired midwives who, through their support groups and relevant work, engage with members of the public, including those in lower socio-economic groups were also invited. Read more
- BCNF materials which shared information on the BCNF, breastfeeding rates and the link to childhood obesity, BCNF letter of commitment and the Draft BCNF Breastfeeding Workplace Policy were given to each attendee at the BCNF stakeholder meeting.
- A key recipient of a copy of the Draft BCNF Breastfeeding Workplace Policy was the Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations who publicly expressed support for the need for a workplace policy at the BCNF Joint Stakeholder Meeting.
- Labour Ministry Supports Breastfeeding At Work – Barbados GIS
- The Honourable Colin E. Jordan, Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations – Barbados Today
- A key recipient of a copy of the Draft BCNF Breastfeeding Workplace Policy was the Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations who publicly expressed support for the need for a workplace policy at the BCNF Joint Stakeholder Meeting.
- The BCNF joint Stakeholder Meeting was recognised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) as a successful celebration of World Breastfeeding Week and received a certificate of participation.
BCNF branded materials shared at the Joint Stakeholder Meeting
Collaborated with other CSO’s to raise awareness around link between breastfeeding and childhood obesity and initiate the establishment of a Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition.
- The President of the BCNF participated in a public lecture hosted by the HSFB titled ‘From Birth to Beyond: A Discussion on Childhood Obesity’. This was an opportunity to engage with members of the public and also to reinforce the link between breastfeeding and childhood obesity. Read more
- On July 20th 2018 the BCNF hosted a National Civil Society Workshop on Childhood Obesity in Collaboration with the Healthy Caribbean Coalition and The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados. The outputs from the workshop included the formation of a Coalition for Childhood Obesity Prevention. Read more
The profile of the BCNF has been significantly elevated as a direct result of this project
- Membership continues to be enhanced and increased interest in the charity continues to be expressed. Specific project activities have also given the BCNF an opportunity for the BCNF to appeal to men to become members of the charity, given that they are an integral part of the breastfeeding support system.
- As result of the platform provided by this project Dr. Alison Bernard, BCNF President, is now part of the National Workplace Wellness Delegation which is building on a National Workplace Wellness Policy developed by Dr. Dwayne Devonish and Gabby Scott of the Barbados Workers Union (BWU). The BCNF draft breastfeeding workplace policy will be included in the National Workplace Wellness Policy.
Some members of the National Workplace Wellness Delegation
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