Hundreds of Mothers take a Stand, Breastfeed in Bulgarian Mall

A massive breastfeeding event reportedly took place inside of a Bulgarian mall, Novinite.com claimed.

According to the site, a Facebook group, "Let's Support Breastfeeding in Public Spaces," organized an event for Monday between 12:30 and 15:30 (3:30 p.m.). The event invited hundreds of mothers to breastfeed openly at a mall located in the capital, Sofia.

''This event was created to support breastfeeding women,'' the group's creators stated on the event page. ''This is not a provocation, and neither is it aimed at promotion. All people present are obliged to follow the norms of decent behavior! All indecent, intolerable and impudent actions are completely forbidden!''

Based on the event, it says that 1,300 mothers planned on attending the public session.

The increased awareness about breastfeeding in public in Sofia started when a mother, Denitsa Panayotova decided to sue the mall after a security guard inside of the mall asked her to stop breastfeeding in front of a store. When Panayotova complained about the request to the chief of security, she was told that breastfeeding disturbs other mall goers.

Panayotova's breastfeeding case is unfortunately not the first one. Moms throughout the world have frequently spoken out about the discrimination they get when they choose to breastfeed in public spaces, such as restaurants.

Due to increased awareness, some changes have already been made. In the city of São Paulo, Brazil, the government has reportedly approved a new law that would find private and public businesses $150 if they shame a mother for breastfeeding, the Guardian reported. The bill is expected to be signed into law by the mayor.

São Paulo's new legislation was introduced after several reports surfaced that officials were shaming breastfeeding women.

"Unfortunately, society is still very puritanical," model Priscilla Navarro Bueno, who was scolded for breastfeeding her baby at the São Paulo's Museum of Image and Sound, said. "During Carnival women can show their breasts, but it is not permitted to do so to give milk to your child. It is absurd that woman have to breastfeed in a hidden room."

Although São Paulo has taken a stance against shaming breastfeeding women, more cities and nations need to follow suit.