The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called on private organizations to emulate the Lagos State Government by extending maternity leave to 6 months, as it would further encourage working mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively.
This demand was made by Dr. Adeola Ekine, Chairperson, NAWOJ Lagos at the handing over of the rehabilitated/facelift of NAWOJ LAGOS creche by NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) and Alive & Thrive.
Dr. Ekine noted that Alive & Thrive, an organization known for the maternity health of children, has helped to put the creche up to date so that mothers will be more encouraged to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months.
She advised breastfeeding mothers to bring their babies to the centre because it’s open for the benefit of families in Lagos State.
“A well-breasted baby will not fall sick, will be brilliant and will grow up appropriately so, we are hoping this creche will be an addition to encouraging breastfeeding working mothers to be able to breastfeed their babies more exclusively,” she added.
During the opening of the creche, Mrs. Toyin Adewale-Gabriel, the Head of Policy and Advocacy Advisor FHI 360, Alive & Thrive said, “we are encouraging workplace support for women and men, that’s why we decided to help NAWOJ to upgrade the face of the creche and we want to thank NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) for their support.”
Mrs. Adewale revealed that the staff have been trained to provide quality care so mothers can be rest assured that the creche is also BMF compliant.
While appreciating NNEW for the collaboration, Mrs. Adewale said, “the men too should bring their babies so it’s not just for women, it’s for the family so that both men and women can have their career.”
She explained that, “FHI 360 Alive & Thrive is very strong on collaboration and we want more and more organizations to buy into maternal infant and young child nutrition and enabling the workplace for families”.
Speaking with BONews Service, Adeniyi Adeyanju, Executive Secretary of NNEW appreciated Alive & Thrive for the opportunity to collaborate while he commended NAWOJ for initiating this movement.
Adeyanju said that “we need to do what we need to do to ensure that this creche gets to the height that we all desire.”
For her part, Julie Ekong, NAWOJ Board of Trustee said, “the importance of this facility to mother and child is that nursing mothers don’t have to bother about carrying their babies to the workplace when there is a creche close enough to allow maximum consecration to breastfeed their babies.
“NAWOJ is assuring FHI 360 that this service provided is going to be sustainable and demand creation is guaranteed,” Ekong added.