Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

“Taipei City Public Breastfeeding Self-governing Act”- first in Taiwan to defend the right to Breastfeed

Satisfying one's stomach is seen as one of the most important aspects of our daily life, but not always the case.
“Do you like to be locked in the toilet while you eat? Nobody does! Then why is it that our babies are forced to be “fed” in dark, dirty, and peculiar smelling environments? Is it only because what the baby feeds on is different to everyone else?” These are the thoughts of a breastfeeding mother, yet it reflects the inconveniences many other breastfeeding mothers are also facing. After the implementation of this Act on the 1st of April, a more friendly and supportive environment will be provided for women breastfeeding in public places around Taipei city. The right to breastfeed on the MRT is legalized. Hiding for breastfeeding will not be necessary.

Representatives from public and private sectors vow to support the right to public breastfeeding
In regards to this Act, many well-known public institutions and private corporations have expressed their support over the implementation. Representatives from public transportation, exhibition venues, financial institutes, libraries, restaurants, and department stores turned up for a press conference with the Department of Health, Taipei City Government. At this event, support for the “Taipei City Public Breastfeeding Self-governing Act” was sworn by the representatives, which will allow women to be able to breastfeed at ease while shopping with the family, banking, attending art exhibitions, and even while waiting for or on public transportation. This will not only encourages a breastfeeding mother to reclaim her usual living environment, but also allows baby to happily and comfortably enjoy “every meal” at anytime. It is our responsibility to provide a friendly and supportive environment for breastfeeding.

Violations will incur a fine of NT$5,000 to a maximum fine of NT$30,000
This Act clearly indicates the right of women to breastfeed in public areas such as parks, streets, markets or malls, buses, MRT and stations. It also states that no one should conduct any behaviors affecting breastfeeding in any way such as stopping the act of breastfeeding, and that no one should ask a woman to stop breastfeeding or retreat to a breastfeeding facility on the grounds that such a facility is available, or else a fine of NT$5,000 to a maximum fine of NT$30,000 will be incurred. Violations against this Act by employees in public places will cause their employers to face penalty, unless proof of evidence is provided supporting that such violation was not due to internal regulations.

Four years of efforts finally gave way to the implementation starting on the 1st of April
To ensure the right of the women and infants, Taipei City has, over the years, continuously promoted breastfeeding policies with the aim of creating a friendly breastfeeding environment. The "Taipei City Public Breastfeeding Self-governing Act" had been drafted since 2005. The Act later became the nation’s first law protecting women’s rights to public breastfeeding. Through years of efforts, this Act is finally implemented starting on the 1st of April. We hope to ease any concerns women may have about public breastfeeding, allowing infants and breastfeeding women to enjoy the right that should have belonged to them.

~A friendly breastfeeding environment that is bestowed to mothers and their babies~

Source: Department of Health,Taipei City Government