Jigawa First Lady, Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi has called for effective maternity entitlements that do not force women to choose between their families and their work.
The wife of the governor made the call in a speech delivered during the launching of the 2024 World Breastfeeding and Mass Breastfeeding 500 lactating Mothers to increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Jigawa state organized by the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF).
Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi also advocated support for women to breastfeed anytime and anywhere so that their children will have adequate food and nutrients needed.
The First Lady expressed the need for effective maternity entitlements that do not force women to choose between their families and their work.
Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi emphasises for more stakeholders’ engagement to support mothers achieve the target level of exclusive breastfeeding in the state.
“As you are aware for babies under six months to stay healthy, scientific evidence recommends giving them breast milk only and on demand (day and night). No water, other liquids or foods should be given from the moment of birth until they reach six months of life, even in hot and dry climates, as breast milk contains all the water and nutrients a baby needs to grow well” she said.
She explained that, according to studies babies who receive liquids and foods in addition to breast milk before six months of age are at greater risk of diarrhea and respiratory infections.
”We are here to celebrate breastfeeding mums in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeeding journeys, while showcasing the ways families, societies, communities and health workers can have the back of every breastfeeding mum”.
Mrs Namadi maintained training health professionals who can provide helpful, respectful breastfeeding support to be boosted and end exploitative baby-milk promotions in all contexts.
The First Lady also urged mothers to breastfeed children anytime and anywhere so that their children will have adequate food and nutrients he/she need adding that, Effective maternity entitlements do not force women to choose between their families and their work.
She added that the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week is unique by engaging 500 lactating mothers in massive awareness sensitization on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to their children, families, and community at large.
In her part, the UNICEF Nutrition Officer Kano, Abigail Nyam said this year UNICEF focused on reducing the inequalities that hindered access to breastfeeding support, through improving breastfeeding support in Nigeria.
The nutrition officer who said the need for breastfeeding support in Nigeria is very critical, called for Nigeria’s emergency response plans to protect the youngest and the most vulnerable members in the society.
According to her, in Nigeria, breastfeeding is crucial for the survival, health, and well-being of infants and young children as it provides nutrients and protection against illness which are vital for children’s growth and development.
Miss Abigail maintained that, to close the gap in breastfeeding inequalities, ” we must engage all actors along the chain of breastfeeding support in Nigeria, including civil society organisation, government, Policy makers, health systems, workplaces, communities and parents” she said.
The 2024 World Breastfeeding Week with a theme “Closing the Gab: Breastfeeding support for All”.
This year’s celebration is coming up at the time when Nigeria is set to break record for the highest number of lactating mothers breastfeeding simultaneously as 30,000 mothers would be breastfeeding their babies across 36 states an act which is not only aimed for record but also seeks to draw global attention to the importance of breastfeeding.
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