Zamfara Approves Six-Month Maternity Leave for Female Workers

(Dauda Lawal. Photo by Real broadcasting network)

The Zamfara State Government has approved six months of maternity leave for female civil servants as part of efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding and improve maternal and child health.

The announcement was made on Thursday in Gusau by the State Head of Service, Yakubu Haidara, while receiving a delegation from the Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN).

According to Haidara, the approval reflects Governor Dauda Lawal's commitment to tackling child malnutrition and improving nutrition outcomes for infants across the state, stating that he believes the governor's approval is aimed at addressing malnutrition among children in the state.

He explained that the extended maternity leave would give mothers adequate time to recover after childbirth, reduce the risk of postpartum depression, support exclusive breastfeeding, and strengthen the bond between mothers and their babies, noting that it provides essential time for physical recovery, helps prevent postpartum depression, facilitates exclusive breastfeeding, and promotes vital emotional bonding.

The Head of Service noted that the state government and civil society organisations share a common goal of protecting children and ensuring healthier future generations.

He recalled that Governor Lawal approved N500 million in counterpart funding for nutrition programmes last year and expressed optimism that the administration would sustain or increase its investment in nutrition, saying he believes the governor will do the same or even more for nutrition activities in the state this year.

Haidara also assured the delegation that the government would continue collaborating with development partners and civil society organisations to combat child malnutrition.

Earlier, the CS-SUNN State Coordinator, Kabiru Jangeru, described the governor's approval as a significant milestone in efforts to improve maternal and child nutrition in Zamfara.

He said the organisation, with support from UNICEF, had been advocating increased funding for nutrition programmes and the adoption of a six-month maternity leave policy to encourage exclusive breastfeeding.

According to Jangeru, the approval aligns with global recommendations on infant feeding and is expected to contribute to better health outcomes for mothers and children in the state.

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is recommended by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF as one of the most effective interventions for reducing infant mortality, improving child nutrition, and supporting healthy growth and development.

The policy is expected to give working mothers the time needed to exclusively breastfeed their babies while recovering from childbirth.