Stakeholders demand six-month maternity leave for working mothers

Stakeholders on nutrition have advocated six-month maternity leave for working mothers and an increased budget for nutrition activities in Sokoto State.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of a one-day policy dialogue on the extension of paid maternity leave from three months to six months in the state.

Maternity leave is a period for women’s absence from work after child delivery.

The stakeholders comprised representatives of civil society organisations, state government officials from the Ministries, affiliated agencies, NAFDAC and the Media.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the stakeholder meeting was organised by an NGO, Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, in collaboration with UNICEF on Tuesday in Sokoto.

In the communique read by Malam Rabi’u Gandi of Save The Child Initiative, the stakeholders described the extension as necessary in view of infants’ needs for proper care as well as the mothers’ improved health conditions.

The participants agreed that exclusive breastfeeding of babies could easily be achieved through the extended period while after the expiration of the six-month period, mothers could better concentrate on their jobs without side attractions.

They said that an extended maternity leave would allow women to have enough time to rest and work diligently with dignity along satisfaction of safe workplaces.

The group highlighted that quality nutrition was an immune booster to both children and adults, with increased health and economic benefits as healthy individuals were productive in society.

They urged the government to secure maximum commitments of community members and policy makers in order to facilitate the implementation of policy for enhanced well-being of the citizens.

The participants enjoined the government to ensure increased budgetary allocations and timely releases of nutrition funds to adequately cater for the lined up services.

They stressed the need for the timely payment of partnership counter funds, engagement of active players such as corporate bodies and the implementation of the right policies on nutrition.

NAN reports that during the session, CS-SUNN Programme Officer, Mr Ambrose Euhoesor, made a presentation on the overview of existing maternal and protection laws and the need for a six-month maternity leave.

Head of Nutrition Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Prof. Rabi’u Umar, also made a presentation on the importance of quality nutrition among families and for society’s progress.

NAN.