The Women and Child Development Ministry is observing the World Breastfeeding Week with a focus on protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. <br />''<br />''The week, which is being observed till 7th of the month, aims to create awareness among parents about breastfeeding, importance of initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and adequate and appropriate complementary feeding.<br />'' <br />'' The Ministry in a release said, this nutrition intervention will help in breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition and also aid the government to achieve National Nutrition Goals and Sustainable Development Goals 2030. <br />'' <br />'' According to the World Health Organisation, increasing breastfeeding to near-international levels will help in saving over eight lakh lives every year, the majority being children under six months. <br />'' <br />'' During the week, the ministry is organizing a number of activities on the theme "Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding". These include Annaprashan ceremony and quiz competitions on Infant and Young Child Feeding that are being conducted in 30 states and Union Territories. Programmes will be held at the village level through puppet shows, skits, dance and drama, films, slide shows, and rallies to generate awareness on importance of healthy eating, maintenance of hygiene and sanitation for pregnant and lactating mothers.<br />''