作为“性别”护理工作的母乳喂养和婴儿护理：重新思考赋予妇女权利、经济赋权、营养和健康的三个R（英）-2023.10-16页_360kb

Summary of "Breastfeeding and Infant Care as 'Sexed' Care Work" by Gribble et al.

Main Argument

Breastfeeding is classified as "sexed" care work due to its link to women's reproductive biology and should be recognized and protected, not reduced or redistributed. This reframes gender equality initiatives to exclude breastfeeding from the standard "Three Rs" (Recognize, Reduce, Redistribute unpaid care work).

Key Issues and Findings

• Breastfeeding's Role in Women's Health: It offers protective effects against reproductive cancers, anemia, and improves child nutrition and development. Premature cessation is disproportionately harmful to women and children.
• Critique of the Three Rs Framework: Current initiatives to reduce and redistribute care work can undermine breastfeeding, which is essential for health outcomes. Breastfeeding should be supported rather than minimized.
• Economic Value and Measurement: Breastfeeding benefits are often undervalued in economic systems like GDP, requiring better accounting (e.g., through satellite accounts) to incorporate its costs and savings.
• Policy Recommendations:
  • Ensure access to paid maternity leave aligned with WHO recommendations (at least 6 months).
  • Implement workplace accommodations for breastfeeding, such as breaks and private spaces.
  • Involve fathers in supporting breastfeeding by redistributing non-sexed care tasks, but avoid policies that reduce breastfeeding duration.
  • Improve labor policies to address informal employment barriers and provide support for vulnerable women.

Conclusion

Gender equality efforts must prioritize women's and children's health by shifting focus from reducing breastfeeding to supporting its practice, thereby fostering sustainable societal benefits for all stakeholders.