The member representing Yenagoa Constituency I in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Ms Ayibanengiyefa Egba, has called for the introduction of one month paternity leave.
Egba, made the call when members of the Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Bayelsa State Chapter, visited her in Ovom, Yenagoa.
She noted that the two weeks paternity leave was not enough for men.
Egba, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Women and Children Affairs, advised young women to engage in exclusive breastfeeding to ensure that their children grew up strong and healthy.
“Before now, women were breastfeeding properly, but due to modernisation, they are more concerned about the shape of their breast.
“We would continue to advocate for exclusive breastfeeding because breast milk contains everything needed for a child to be properly nourished”, she said.
She also advised parents to impact moral education on their children to ensure that young girls do not give birth to children they cannot provide for.
“Properly trained children will make the society better. I assure you that the house of assembly will critically look into laws and policies on nutrition, domesticate it for the benefit of the people”, she said.
The CS-SUNN delegation led by its Chairperson, Mrs Ekinabhari Unity-Ototo, noted that the visit was part of activities to intimate relevant stakeholders for increased budgetary provision for nutrition in the state.
Unity-Ototo also noted that CS-SUNN is equally giving active support for exclusive breastfeeding, maternity leave for six months and two weeks paternity leave to enable men support their women.
“We are here to solicit your support to advocate for budget increment in nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding for children from birth until six months.
“No addition of water, we also need mothers to have 6months leave to enable them rest well, take proper care of their babies and two weeks for the fathers”, she said.