Bauchi, UNICEF Push For Speedy Passage Of 6-Month Maternity Leave Bill

Bauchi State government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have called for the speedy passage of the six-month maternity leave bill.

They described it as a critical step towards improving child health and promoting exclusive breastfeeding in the state.

The executive secretary of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, stressed that extending maternity leave from three to six months would significantly improve the well-being of mothers and newborns.

He said the proposed legislation would enable working mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the recommended six months, which he noted is essential for boosting immunity, reducing child mortality and ensuring healthy growth.

Dr Mohammed explained that many mothers are often forced to return to work shortly after delivery due to the current limited maternity leave period, thereby making it difficult to practice exclusive breastfeeding.

To him, the passage of the bill would align Bauchi State with global best practices and demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes.

“We are advocating for the speedy passage of the six-month maternity leave bill because it will allow mothers to properly care for their newborns and practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life,” he said.

Also speaking, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, Dr. Nuzat Rafique, said the agency is supporting the state government and other stakeholders to ensure the bill becomes law.

Dr Rafique noted that evidence shows that babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months are healthier and less prone to infections and malnutrition.

She added that extending maternity leave would also help reduce infant mortality and improve children’s nutrition in the state.

The UNICEF official urged lawmakers and relevant stakeholders to prioritise the bill to enable mothers to provide adequate care and nutrition to their infants during the critical early months of life.