Cross River State extends maternity leave to six months to promote breastfeeding
On Wednesday, December 18, the Government of Cross River State announced that it has extended the maternity leave for nursing mothers from three to six months. The new policy, which aims to give mothers more time to breastfeed their babies, will take effect from December 20.
The decision was communicated in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Innocent Eteng, on December 16. Eteng explained that the extension was in response to the state’s low rate of exclusive breastfeeding, which was recorded at just 38.95% in the 2023 WHO report.
“This poor percentage has prompted the governor to approve the new maternity leave policy, ensuring every child born in the state is entitled to six months of exclusive breastfeeding,” the circular stated. “This initiative is aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of children in the state.”
With the extension, all nursing mothers working in the state’s civil and public services will now be entitled to a six-month maternity leave.
