NECA Calls For Conducive Work Environments For Breastfeeding

CHUKWU SOLOMON CHUKWUNONSO

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) organised a seminar on Tuesday, April 25, to discuss how to make breastfeeding at the workplace easier for women. 

The association, working under the auspices of the NECA Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) in partnership with Alive & Thrive, invited various stakeholders on the issue ranging from employers to employees to discuss how they could make the Baby-Friendly Workplace Initiative come to fruition.

Alive & Thrive Initiative is managed in Nigeria by FHI 360 and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Also present at the event were representatives from Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN); Nestle, International Chambers of Commerce (ICC); Association of Nigerian Women Business Network (ANWBN) and Dangote Group.

NECA aims to create awareness for the private sector to begin having a breastfeeding room and Lactation Support Program where the mother can go on maternity leave from three to six months.

Dr. (Mrs.) Ajoristsedere Awosika, Chairperson, Access Bank Plc, who was the Keynote Speaker at the event highlighted on the numerous challenges that a breastfeeding mother faces and the need for the workplace to be supportive at all times.

Awosika pointed out that breastfeeding held many advantages including reducing the infant mortality rate which would in turn translate to an increase in happy mothers and home.

“Women face terrible challenges when they are breastfeeding. Some good hands would be reported for not coming to work. Employers need to submit because they lose more,” she stated.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the baby’s life is the best way to provide optimal nutrition, Awosika noted that if mothers can go more, “please do. It promotes healthy growth and development.”

She continued; “There is no time or flexibility for working mothers to breastfeed during working hours. Many working mothers struggle to find time during their busy working hours to breastfeed their babies exclusively and as we are aware, many workplaces do not have adequate facilities for breastfeeding and pumping such as crèches, designated nursing rooms and the mothers may not have the grace to adjust their working hours to accommodate breastfeeding.

“We are not asking for a big ceremony, just provide a space, make it comfortable, straight chairs and some pillows to put their feet on. It doesn’t have to be a big budget, what we are asking for is privacy and a place to rest their shoulders because they are the most painful part when mothers are breastfeeding; the shoulders and the back.”

Awosika outlined some of the facilities needed to help the breastfeeding mothers carry out their maternal duties and also give her best at work.

President of NNEW, Mrs. Funmilayo Arowoogun encouraged all organisations in the country to adopt the practice of having a Baby-Friendly environment as it would improve the relationship between the employers and employees who would be grateful for being given an opportunity to work and care for their children.

“A mother will be able to give her best knowing that her baby is well taken care of. We are encouraging the organisations to start practising this. NECA and the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, umbrella bodies for the private sector and we are using this position to push this,” Arowoogun said.

She disclosed that while NECA has a lactating room and crèche, “We want to bring member organisations together to get affirmations that they will go back and push for it to be implemented as Nigeria will be better if it is implemented.

“The nursing mothers at work mortality rate would be reduced. A child that takes breast milk won’t be sick. It saves time and if there is a crèche close by and the woman won’t have to leave work at all times. She will be able to give her best. It’s a ripple effect and that’s why this is important,” Arowoogun said.