Description

The campaign for extended and holistic maternity leave rights in Nigeria seeks to advocate for the extension of maternity leave policies, emphasising the importance of supporting mothers in balancing their work and family responsibilities.

By extending maternity leave, the campaign aims to promote gender equality, improve maternal and child health outcomes, reduce the pay gap, and create a more supportive environment for working mothers.

This campaign is lead by ASVIOL Support Initiative, the Nafisa Atiku Foundation and supported by the French Mission in Nigeria.

Objective

• Advocate for legislative amendments under section 54 of the Labour Act to extend maternity leave duration from the current 12 weeks to 24 weeks and ensure its application to all working mothers, including those in the informal sector, by the end of the current legislative session.

• Increase public awareness about the tangible benefits of extending maternity leave to at least 24 weeks through targeted campaigns, resulting in a 70% increase in public understanding of the positive impact on maternal health, child development, and gender equality within six months.

• Garner commitments of support from at least 50% of identified key stakeholders, including major corporations, civil society organizations, and influential individuals, through signed petitions or official endorsements within three months.

Message

Dear Hon Member, I urge you to recognize the critical importance of extending maternity leave as a fundamental right for all mothers in Nigeria and the role it plays in supporting the well-being of mothers and their families. By extending maternity leave, we can improve maternal and child health outcomes, promote gender equality in the workforce, and foster economic prosperity. Firstly, while the current labor law provides for paid maternity leave for mothers in Nigeria, this provision of 3 months maternity leave is not adequate. Secondly, a majority of companies in Nigeria are not abiding by these laws and the laws do not provide stringent punishment for such companies or organizations. I call on you to move for and support the amendment of section 54 of the Labor Act to provide 6 months paid maternity leave for mothers and include stringent punishment for organizations found wanting and in violation of this provision. By so doing, you will be prioritizing the implementation of inclusive maternity leave policies that empower women to fulfill their professional aspirations, support families, and advance our nation's development.