South Sudan has launched nationwide celebrations for World Breastfeeding Week 2025, under the theme “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.” Led by the Ministry of Health in partnership with UNICEF and key nutrition partners, the week-long campaign calls for stronger societal and policy support to protect breastfeeding as a life-saving practice.
The country has made notable progress, increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among infants under six months from 45% in 2010 to 73% in 2024. However, nearly one in three babies still misses out on the essential benefits of exclusive breastfeeding—a gap the government aims to close by reaching 80% by 2027.
“Prioritising breastfeeding is not only the responsibility of mothers—it requires support at every level,” said Hon. Sarah Cleto Rial, Minister of Health. “We are committed to equipping healthcare workers, strengthening community support, and ensuring mothers get the help they need from pregnancy through early childhood.”
Breastfeeding is a critical intervention in South Sudan, where malnutrition, food insecurity, and limited healthcare access continue to threaten child survival. Breastmilk provides complete nutrition for the first six months and helps protect children from disease and death. Continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods up to age two strengthens immunity and supports development.
But mothers face multiple barriers—cultural taboos, lack of support at home and work, displacement, and aggressive marketing of infant formula. This year’s campaign emphasizes the need to build sustainable support networks, including mother-to-mother groups, trained community health workers, and the engagement of religious and traditional leaders to change harmful social norms.
“Breastfeeding is a child’s first vaccine and the best start in life,” said Noala Skinner, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan. “If we are serious about reducing malnutrition and saving lives, we must break down the barriers mothers face and support breastfeeding across society.”
As the country works to expand nutrition services, officials stress that prevention must be prioritized. Protecting breastfeeding is one of the most effective strategies to combat child malnutrition and reduce infant mortality.
World Breastfeeding Week 2025 is a rallying point for collective action. By supporting breastfeeding, South Sudan invests in the health, development, and future of its children.
