January 18, (THEWILL) – The Ondo State Government, on Wednesday, announced the extension of maternity leave from three to six months, as part of efforts to ensure total child development.
The State Head of Service, Kayode Ogundele, disclosed this while receiving members of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ondo State chapter, at his office in Akure.
Ogundele said the decision was to enable mothers to give their newborn babies adequate attention during the leave period.
According to him, medical experts affirm that breast feeding should be exclusive in the first six months.
Ogundele said such mothers would be more focused and productive when they resume work, as all the initial child-raising challenges would have been addressed sufficiently during the leave period.
He said the current government’s efforts were aimed at providing a better society for women and had also recently established the agency for the Protection Against Gender Violence.
“This is in addition to the full-fledged Ministry of Women Affairs to address women and children related issues”, the HoS said.
“FIDA, you have been doing a great job. We have been seeing your roles in terms of activism, advocacy and other things you have been doing to help the vulnerable in the society. It is a good job and we pray God will strengthen you to keep it up”, he added.
