Zamfara State Grants Six-Month Maternity Leave for Women

The Zamfara State government has approved a six-month maternity leave for female civil servants, aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding and enhancing the health of mothers and infants. The announcement was made on Thursday in Gusau by Yakubu Haidara, the head of the state civil service, who received a delegation from the Civil Society Scaling Nutrition Nigeria (CS-SUNN).

This initiative reflects Governor Dauda Lawal's commitment to addressing child malnutrition and improving nutrition for infants across the state. The governor's approval is intended to provide mothers with adequate time to recover from childbirth, reduce the risk of postpartum depression, and support exclusive breastfeeding, thereby strengthening the bond between mothers and their babies.

Haidara emphasized the importance of this decision in ensuring a healthier future for children. Additionally, he recalled that Governor Lawal had approved a counterpart fund of N500 million for nutrition programs last year and expressed confidence that the government would continue to increase support for nutrition activities in the state.