Male breastfeeding champion Gregory Ekidit during the interview. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]
Every time he stepped out to talk to breastfeeding mothers, he was ridiculed.
In a male-dominated society, it did not make sense to some people why a man would spend so much time mingling with women, especially breastfeeding mothers.
Gregory Ekidit was mocked and given nicknames such as “counsellor wa wamama (women’s counsellor),” while others thought he was wooing their wives.
The ridicule allowed him to explain why men must be part of conversations around breastfeeding.
Ekidit was dedicated to promoting exclusive breastfeeding and helping mothers and their partners understand how best to breastfeed their babies.
Breastfeeding was considered a common practice, yet most mothers did not understand best practices.