The High Court has issued a rule asking why it shouldn’t order breastfeeding corners and baby care corners to be set up in public places and private organisations

The rule also asked why the women and children affairs ministry shouldn’t be ordered to draft a guideline on breastfeeding corners in all public places including airports, bus and railway stations, and workplaces across the country.

The bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman gave the order on Sunday (Oct 27).

The cabinet, women and children affairs, health, social welfare, and civil aviation and tourism secretaries and those concerned have been ordered to respond to the rule within four weeks.

On Oct 22, one Ishrat Jahan, the mother of a nine-month-old filed a petition to breastfeed babies in comfort and safety.

The writ said sought breastfeeding corners to be set up in public places so that women don’t face discomfort or sexual harassment while feeding their child.

Emphasising on the importance of breastfeeding in the physical and mental development of the child, Ishrat Jahan said, “Many mothers are unable to breastfeed in public due to lack of safe environment and sexual harassment they face.”

A media report attached to the petition said that in 2009 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered day care centres and breastfeeding rooms to be set up in all government and private organisations and public places.

However, no visible initiatives have been taken to implement the nine-year-old order.