Do Global Infant Feeding Policies Respect the United Nations Principles on the Rights of Children and Families?

Abstract

Background: Under the terms of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), governments are now required to enable all children to fulfil their full potential with the key principles being non-discrimination, the right to life and development, the best interests of the child, and the right to be heard. A recent statement by UNICEF indicated that implementation of the principles of the UNCRC provide a pathway for WHO, WHA, and UNICEF global infant feeding policy documents to be introduced into domestic law. But these documents are not recent and have not been updated, and they represent high levels of non-compliance. Moreover, do they actually comply with the principles set out in the UNCRC?

Summary: Global decisions on infant feeding are being made by organisations who are distant from family circumstances and primarily reflect the views of WHO/UNICEF and activist groups. Evidence of dismissal of public consultation is discriminatory, and an unwillingness to manage differences of opinion is a denial of the right to be heard.

Key message: National governments can serve the best interests of the child through sovereign rights, national responsibility and accountability, and development of national infant feeding policies that reflect UNCRC principles.