• UNICEF seeks breastfeeding rights for displaced mothers, infants
• Abia restates commitment to paid maternity, paternity leave

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stressed the need to strengthen government and community support to safeguard the well-being of nursing mothers facing severe challenges due to conflict and displacement.

The international organisation emphasised that infants born in displacement settings must not be deprived of their fundamental right to proper nutrition and care.

While advocating for urgent psychological, nutritional, and social protection interventions, UNICEF stressed that comprehensive measures must be implemented to ensure breastfeeding practices are sustained even in crisis conditions.

According to the UNICEF Social Policy Manager, Muhammad Okorie, who stressed this during the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week, harped on the critical role of breast milk in providing infants with adequate nutrients and hydration, dismissing misconceptions that necessitate supplementary water or substitutes.

MEANWHILE, the wife of Abia State Governor, Priscilla Otti, has restated the state government’s commitment to paying six months maternity leave to nursing mothers and also three weeks paternity leave for fathers to support them bond with their newborns.
 
She spoke yesterday while flagging off the states 2025 week-long world breastfeeding week in Umuahia, the state capital, adding that the state government, in its bid to lead by example, remains committed to promoting such mother-friendly workplace policies, including establishment of creches in public and private centers beginning at the state High Court headquarters and the state secretarial, both in Umuahia.

Also, while commissioning the completed Creche in Umuahia, Mrs Otti said she was delighted to be part of the team that made it happen, but that she provided the furnishings and equipment to ensure that the space is not just functional, but welcoming, safe and nurturing for the children.