The health ministry’s 16th national campaign will promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and strengthen support for mothers, hospitals and communities.
Morocco’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection has launched the 16th national campaign to promote breastfeeding, running from 20 October to 20 November 2026 in partnership with the National Initiative for Human Development. According to the ministry, the effort is being rolled out under the slogan: “Exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months is sufficient”. The campaign is aimed at reinforcing maternal and child health and nutrition, while also reflecting broader official priorities around early childhood development and human capital.
The ministry says the initiative fits within its wider communication strategy for social and behavioural change, which seeks to encourage healthy practices during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. That period is widely regarded by public health specialists as especially important for physical growth, brain development and long-term wellbeing. The campaign also comes against a global backdrop in which breastfeeding rates remain below international targets, with the World Health Organization saying fewer than half of infants under six months old are exclusively breastfed.
WHO recommends that breastfeeding begin within the first hour after birth, continue exclusively for the first six months, and then be maintained alongside complementary foods until the child is two years old or beyond. The organisation says breast milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect children from common illnesses, and it warns that the inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes can undermine breastfeeding efforts. WHO has also set a global goal of reaching 70% exclusive breastfeeding by 2030.
In Morocco, the ministry said the campaign will include awareness-raising activities for mothers and communities, with health professionals, community intermediaries and local media all being mobilised. It also plans to strengthen the “Baby-Friendly Hospital” initiative and ensure compliance with the international code governing the marketing of breast-milk substitutes. The ministry says the campaign is part of its commitment to improving public health indicators and supporting better outcomes for future generations.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
