In a joint effort, the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition (CSSUN) and the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have intensified calls for the Gombe state government to grant nursing mothers an extended six-month maternity leave. CSSUN's state coordinator, Mrs. Comfort Amos Mukollo, and members of the coalition on scaling up nutrition emphasized the urgent need for this policy during an advocacy visit to the office of the Gombe state head of civil service.
n a joint effort, the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition (CSSUN) and the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have intensified calls for the Gombe state government to grant nursing mothers an extended six-month maternity leave. CSSUN's state coordinator, Mrs. Comfort Amos Mukollo, and members of the coalition on scaling up nutrition emphasized the urgent need for this policy during an advocacy visit to the office of the Gombe state head of civil service.
Highlighting the alarming rates of malnutrition among children in the state, Mrs. Mukollo stressed the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to combat this issue effectively. The coalition, active since 2017, has been diligently working to significantly reduce malnutrition. Their efforts include advocacy to relevant government bodies, nutritional education at health facilities, household training for women groups, and food demonstrations promoting the use of locally available produce to prepare affordable and healthy meals. Mrs. Mukollo underlined the significance of formulating a policy that grants six months of paid maternity leave, asserting that it would immensely benefit both mothers and children, contributing to the creation of a healthier and more prosperous society. She emphasized that the early months of a child's life are critical for nurturing, bonding, and providing essential nutrition through breastfeeding.
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Advocating for exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended six months, Mrs. Mukollo urged the head of service to support and consider the implementation of this policy, aligning with global best practices. SkyDNews stands in solidarity with CSSUN and UNICEF, amplifying the call for extended maternity leave to address child malnutrition in Gombe.