Cozumel, Mexico - The International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) in Mexico ( CIFAL Merida ), an affiliated training centre of UNITAR and its host institution Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR), inaugurated a new lactation room at Cozumel International Airport on 29 January. Developed in collaboration with regional airport authorities and in coordination with UNICEF Mexico . The initiative provides a dedicated space designed to support working mothers employed at the airport, as well as women travelling with their babies through the terminal.
The lactation room offers a safe, welcoming, and functional environment for mothers and infants, reinforcing the importance of inclusive infrastructure in high-traffic public spaces. By promoting child-friendly and family-oriented facilities, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the protection of women's and children's rights.
This action builds ongoing cooperation between CIFAL Mérida and regional partners to promote socially responsible airport management. Similar initiatives have been implemented in other airports in the region, demonstrating a growing commitment to embedding child-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches within airport infrastructure.
The collaboration between CIFAL Mérida and UNICEF underscores the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in advancing sustainable development. Airports, as gateways connecting communities and regions, can also serve as platforms for positive social transformation when inclusive design and human-centred policies are prioritised.
The implementation of lactation rooms and child-friendly spaces contributes directly to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in advancing health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), and the protection and promotion of children's rights. Through initiatives such as this, CIFAL Mérida reaffirms its commitment to supporting inclusive infrastructure, strengthening local capacities, and contributing to sustainable development efforts at the regional and national levels.
