UNICEF calls for increasing period of paid maternity leave to 18 weeks

By Ginaba Lino

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is calling for improving policies supporting breastfeeding in the workplace, such as increasing the period of paid maternity leave to 18 weeks allied with global standards.

Speaking during the World Breastfeeding Week Day, the Representative of UNICEF in South Sudan Hamida Lasseko said, it is important to increase funds to prevent malnutrition in South Sudan.

Hamida Lasseko stated that making these policies work to 18 weeks for mothers worldwide will accelerate progress.

“Lactating mothers should receive appropriate breastfeeding breaks” she adds.

“UNICEF calls for improved policies supporting breastfeeding in the workplace, such as increasing the period of paid maternity leave to 18 weeks aligned with global standards. It is important to increase funds to prevent malnutrition in South Sudan. Lactating mothers should receive appropriate breastfeeding breaks, work-site facilities, and breastfeeding support. Making these policies work for mothers worldwide will accelerate progress.”

Meanwhile, the Undersecretary for Health, Hon Dr Harriet Pasquel said, the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and their partners are working hard to ensure that malnourished children are provided with necessary therapeutic and feeding centers.

Hon Dr Harriet Pasquel adds that more needs to be done to reduce and prevent malnutrition in the first place.

“She states that the whole society must address women’s barriers to reach the 2027 national target of 80% of children exclusively breastfed.

The Undersecretary points out that providing enabling workplaces is one crucial factor to that success.

“To reach the 2027 national target of 80% of children exclusively breastfed, the whole of society must address women’s barriers to breastfeeding exclusively. Providing enabling workplaces is one crucial factor to that success.”

South Sudan has made commendable progress in the past decade, and levels of exclusive breastfeeding of children under six months have increased from 45% in 2010 to 60% in 2023.

However, more is needed, as four out of every ten newborns remain deprived of their right to a healthy start and missing appropriate first food in the first six months of life.

Breastfeeding is the best way to prevent infant morbidity, mortality, and malnutrition to attain optimal growth and development.