Nutrition experts in Bauchi have called on the state government to implement a six-month paid maternity leave for working mothers, stressing its importance for child development and maternal well-being.
The experts also advocated for private firms and employers to implement a six-month paid maternity leave immediately after delivery.
Speaking at a quarterly nutrition stakeholder meeting organised by Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUN) in collaboration with UNICEF, Dabis Mwalike said an extended leave period would allow mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies, reducing malnutrition and infant mortality rates.
She emphasised that exclusive breastfeeding for six months strengthens a child’s immunity, lowers the risk of infections, and promotes cognitive development.
“Many working mothers struggle to balance breastfeeding with job demands. A six-month maternity leave would bridge this gap and improve health outcomes,” she said.
The commissioner for budget, economic planning, and multilateral coordination, Amina Mohammed Katagum, assured that the state government is always ready to ensure adequate budgetary allocation to food and nutrition to ensure a healthy society.
Represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Yusuf Jibrin, the commissioner lauded the meeting, describing it as crucial in the implementation of the issues agreed upon in the last quarter meeting.
The commissioner lamented that the nutrition situation in Bauchi State is not encouraging, as it negatively impacts the people of the state, especially women and children under 5.
She stressed that there is hunger among the people of the state, which needs the prompt attention of the Ministry of Agriculture to promote food security and availability across the state to fight hunger.
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