Over 80% of Hong Kong mothers say they need more and cleaner breastfeeding facilities

Survey of 1,400 mothers and in-depth interviews with 30 by Equal Opportunities Commission show they also faced discrimination from employers

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A baby care room near the female toilet at the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Jelly Tse

Published: 8:46pm, 6 Aug 2024Updated: 11:28pm, 6 Aug 2024

More than 80 per cent of Hong Kong mothers say they need more breastfeeding facilities in public places and struggle to find hygienic nursing rooms, a study by the city’s equality watchdog has found.

The Equal Opportunities Commission on Tuesday marked World Breastfeeding Week by calling on authorities and venue operators to foster a more breastfeeding-friendly environment, as part of a wider initiative to encourage childbirth in Hong Kong.

“We must not only build more breastfeeding facilities and improve sanitary conditions but also promote a cultural shift towards breastfeeding, including among employers and venue operators,” said Ferrick Chu Chung-man, executive director of the commission.

“It’s worth noting that most breastfeeding facilities are being provided by shopping malls instead of offices and government … the authorities should take the lead and do more to promote the culture of breastfeeding, especially in sports and cultural venue,” he added.

According to the study, which surveyed more than 1,400 mothers between July and September last year, 81 per cent said there should be an increase in the number of breastfeeding facilities in public places as well as improvements in their hygiene.

About half of the respondents struggled with long queues outside nursing rooms with poor sanitary conditions when breastfeeding or lactating in commercial and government premises.