Oyo House House of Assembly is asking for the upward review of the period of maternity leave for pregnant women and Nursing mothers in the employment of the the state from the Executive arm of government to engender healthy living for mothers in the state.
This was part of the resolutions on the floor of the state’s House of Assembly while deliberating on a motion sponsored by Member, representing Ogbomoso North state constituency in the state Assembly, Hon Wumi Oladeji.
The motion titled- Review of maternity leave policy for pregnant and nursing mothers in the employment of Oyo state for healthy motherhood”.
The motion was seconded by member, representing Ibadan South West state constituency, Hon. Yusuf Adebisi.
Hon Oladeji, who is the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Inclusion said in the motion that the review is in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding, hence such review will afford nursing mothers ample time to care for their infants with undivided attention.
She observed that “breastfeeding, essentially improves women and Children’s health, boost intelligence and productive long life. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life without water or any other infant formula maximizes these benefits”. Returning to work before six months she however, noted is a great hindrance to the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
Hon Oladeji said maternity leave varies according to states in Nigeria, but added that Oyo state will join states like Kaduna, Lagos, Enugu and Ekiti who have increased theirs to six months while some have also approved paternity leave for men.
In their various contributions, members of the House including Hon Ayo Fatokun, representing Akinyele state constituency, Asimiyu Alarape, the minority leader of the house said the import of the motion is very apt to the welfare of women and infants in the state.
While the debate was ongoing, Hon Wumi Oladeji, being the only female member of the house however told her male colleagues that they could also demand for paternity leave, and if they are finding it difficult, then she added to her resolutions that four weeks paternity leave be given to the nursing fathers in the state.
The Speaker, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin said the upward review was aimed at meeting the recommendation of the World Health Organization,W.H.O as the present four months maternity leave fall short of the international standard.
“We have empathy for our women and pain they bore during childbirth and task of taking care of the infant especially practising exclusive breastfeeding hence we will ensure the best is approved and giving to them.
The House later referred the motion to its Committee on Women Affairs to interface with critical ministries in the state, including the Oyo State Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Women Affairs on ways of reviewing upward the maternity leave for female public servants in the state and report back in two weeks time.
Leave a Reply