The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has tasked journalists to advocate for working parents and caregivers to have sufficient paid maternity leave for six months.
The Chief of UNICEF, Bauchi Field Office, Dr Tushar Rane said such a policy would enable them meet the essential nutritional needs of their young children.
Dr Rane made the call virtually at the commencement of a media dialogue for journalists from five states as part of the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week, at Azare, Katagum local government area of the state.
He said: “Government and employers must provide the needed assistance for mothers and caregivers, including those in the informal sector, to conveniently breastfeed or support breastfeeding.
“UNICEF has continued to advocate for policies that encourages breast feeding as part of campaign for the 2023 World breast feeding week, such as paid maternity leave for six months, as well as paid paternity leave, flexible return-to-work options.
“Babies who are not breast-fed over fourteen times are more likely to die before they reach their first birthday than babies who are exclusively breast-fed.”
Reporting by Murtala Muhammed; Editing by Hadiza Abdulrahman and Tony Okerafor