TheCable

Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state, has approved six months of maternity leave for female workers in the state civil service.

Yinka Oyebode, chief press secretary to the governor, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

According to Oyebode, the policy is in line with the administration’s determination to key into global best practices that will improve the quality of lives of citizens.

He said the policy is aimed at improving maternal health and encourage nursing mothers to observe the six-month exclusive breastfeeding of their babies.

“The new policy, which takes effect from February 1, 2020 is aimed at improving maternal health and encourage nursing mothers to observe the six months exclusive breastfeeding campaign of the United Nations Intervention Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF),” he said.

“The six months exclusive breastfeeding campaign is aimed at reducing to the barest minimum, infant and maternal mortality rate as well as facilitate work-life balance for female workers in the state.

“The Ekiti State Government continues to show strong political will towards ensuring gender inclusiveness This policy is one of many other frameworks in place aimed at promoting the rights of women and children.”

In 2019, the Kaduna government approved six months of maternity leave for female civil servants of the state.

Nasir El-Rufai, governor of the state, said the initiative was to ensure children were adequately cared for, well-fed and receive all the nutrients they would need within the first six months of their lives.