By Abdulkareem Haruna
In a vibrant event marking the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week, officials from Plan International underscored the need for an enabling environment for working mothers, advocating for the provision of safe and conducive spaces for breastfeeding at workplaces.
Michael Jadyal, the Food Security Nutrition Project Coordinator for Plan International, highlighted the organization’s commitment to raising awareness and supporting working mothers.
“We intend to work together to see how we make a difference for working mothers,” Jadyal said. “We want to ensure that the workplace is safe and conducive for them to work and have safe places where they can breastfeed.”
Jadyal highlighted the need for facilities such as crèches at workplaces, noting that Plan International has made strides in this area.
“Plan International has a functional crèche with a space where women can actually go in and breastfeed their children,” he said. “Women can even bring their children to work, and in between the working hours, they have time to express breast milk and breastfeed their children.”
Despite the progress, Jadyal stressed that more needs to be done, calling for extended maternity leaves and specific spaces within workplaces where women can breastfeed.
“Only a few organizations are doing well, but we believe more can still be done,” Jadyal said.
He further emphasized the importance of breastfeeding, stating that “the nutrients that are embedded in the breast milk can actually be maxed” and that breastfeeding “helps the child to grow and also helps in preventing some childhood-related illnesses.”
Makabat Mercy Yakubu, Plan International’s Nutrition Officer in Gwoza, echoed Jadyal’s sentiments, praising the organization’s efforts while emphasizing the need for further action.
“Plan is trying to support breastfeeding mothers in all that it can,” Ms Yakubu said.
“They support them with maternity leave of six months, duration, and make provision for a one-month paternity leave for fathers, and all-expense-paid trips for mothers on official travel.”
According to Ms Yakubu, Plan International has also provided a crèche in the workspace, enabling mothers to bring their nursing children to work and breastfeed them on demand.
“It’s important for mothers to have a facility to breastfeed their child in the working space because breastfeeding is a continuous process,” Yakubu said.
She further highlighted the organization’s advocacy for exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months and optimal breastfeeding up to two years.
“This is to help them achieve optimal nutrition for their children so that the child will have all the nutritional needs that he requires regarding breastfeeding,” Ms. Yakubu said.
Participants at the event asked burning questions ranging from harmful traditional practices, challenges faced by lactating mothers, and best nutrition for mothers before and during breastfeeding, which were adequately addressed by various desk officers who emphasized that exclusive breastfeeding does not only supports the well-being of children but also contributes significantly to their physical and mental growth and development.
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