Wits School of Public Health Breastfeeding Room Launch
- FHS Communications
The Wits School of Public Health (SPH) marked World Breastfeeding Week with the official launch of its new Wellness Room designated for breastfeeding mothers.
The event coincided with World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated globally from 1–7 August, and underscored the University’s commitment to creating inclusive, supportive spaces for students, staff, and visitors who are balancing work, study, and parenting.
The Head of School, Professor Tobias Chirwa highlighted that the new Wellness Room represents more than simply a physical space—it is a declaration that breastfeeding is normal, and that Wits actively supports those who choose to breastfeed while pursuing their studies or careers. “By formally renaming and redesigning this space, we are making clear that lactating staff, students, and visitors deserve practical support and dignity,” said Professor Chirwa.
Previously, informal arrangements were made for breastfeeding mothers to use the school’s sick bay or tea rooms for pumping. However, these relied on personal connections and were often limited by privacy concerns. “We do not know how many people were too scared or shy to ask,” Prof Chirwa noted, adding that should not continue to happen.
The newly designated Wellness Room (SPH Building, Room 017) now offers a private, comfortable and hygienic environment equipped with:
- A seating area for breastfeeding or expressing milk
- Refrigeration facilities for breastmilk storage
- Electrical outlets for pumps
- Sanitation supplies
- Educational materials
PhD student Violet Bosire, who played a key role in championing the initiative, shared insights from a 2022 study conducted within the School on breastfeeding support at universities. The research revealed critical gaps that motivated the creation of the room. “Mothers can now feel free to breastfeed, express milk or bond with their children while attending to academic or work commitments,” Bosire explained.
Mothers using the facility are encouraged to give feedback that will ensure continuous improvement of the facility. Additionally, a Community of Practice group has been established to provide peer support, resources and networking for breastfeeding mothers across the faculty.
The official launch event also featured reflections from student Dudu Maziya, who spoke candidly about her own motherhood journey while studying, and from Sara Nieuwoudt, who outlined research linking workplace breastfeeding support to higher breastfeeding continuation rates.
Following the launch, the Adler Museum hosted an engaging talk themed Commercial Influence on Breastfeeding presented by Jeannel Du Plessis, Lecturer and Midwifery Coordinator in the Department of Nursing Education. Her talk addressed the ways commercial interests impact breastfeeding practices and highlighted the importance of evidence-based guidance and community-driven support systems.
The presentation drew on key messages from the World Breastfeeding Week campaign, emphasising:
- The need for comprehensive maternity and parental leave policies
- Universal implementation of the baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)
- Access to donor human milk when necessary
- Compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes to protect families from commercial pressures
Breastfeeding is globally recognised for its benefits in boosting immunity, supporting brain development and strengthening the emotional connection between mother and baby. Aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, breastfeeding also contributes to sustainable health outcomes and resilience in the face of social and environmental challenges.
The School of Public Health’s leadership called on other faculties and departments across Wits to follow suit by establishing similar supportive facilities, reinforcing that shared action is needed to normalise breastfeeding and ensure no parent is forced to choose between their child’s health and their education or employment. “This one room is not sufficient to serve the full needs of the Wits community,” the Head of School concluded. “Each of us has a role to play in pushing this agenda forward. This is very much part of #WitsForGood.”