Bauchi Government Urged To Include 6 Months Maternity Leave For Lactating Mothers Its Policies
By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government has been called upon to include the six months maternity leave for all lactating and nursing mothers in its policy in line with global standards in the policy.
The government was also called to provide an option for working from home or part time work for all breastfeeding mothers.
The call was made during a Press Conference on Advocacy to Support Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices delivered by Dabis Mwalike, Secretary, Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, Bauchi Chapter in Commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week, August 2022 with the theme: “Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support” held at the NUJ Press Center, Bauchi on Monday.
The CSOs further called that all government and private institutions in the state should provide designated breastfeeding corners/ rooms to support lactating mothers to continue breastfeeding upon return to work.
Furthermore, Employers should be allowed flexible schedules for breastfeeding mothers to allow them to attend to the breastfeeding demands of their babies while working.
While appreciating the state government for the enabling environment created for Civil Societies to operate in, the CSOs also commended the Government and the Developing partners for the ongoing process of domesticating the National Food an Nutrition Policy for the state. Nevertheless,
The CSOs further called on Traditional and Religious leaders- to educate community/followers on benefits of optimal breastfeeding practices and encourage them to adopt these practices.
Also, Midwives should Educate mothers and families about early initiation, exclusive and continued breastfeeding during antenatal, inform mothers about what happens at time of birth, and soon after.
Fathers/Partners are to create an environment that is conducive for breastfeeding at home and share domestic tasks in and around the home stating that, “if you have older children, take the opportunity to spend extra time caring for them, this will give the mother time to focus on breastfeeding” .
Dabis Mwalike also called for support for pregnant mothers to eat nutritious foods and various food groups to help their babies grow well to be healthy and maintain energy the mothers need to function efficiently and care for their babies.
Youths were advised to stay educated, read the benefits of breastfeeding and how it is one of of the investments in saving lives and improving the health, social and economic development of individuals and the nation.
Traditional Birth attendance are to educate pregnant women on the need to attend antennal care when they are pregnant and to deliver in the hospital.
Donors/Partners (UNICEF, Oxfam, IHP, Advancing Nutrition, Nutrition International, Breakthrough Action, Alive and Thrive) should support local NGOs to scale up interventions that promotes, protects and support breastfeeding practices.
On their part, the Civil Societies are to work closely with government and partners to advocate for the domestication and implementation of the provisions of breastfeeding practices contained in the National Food and Nutrition Policy.
