The Oyo State House of Assembly has urged the State Government to introduce Paternity leave in the State Civil and private sector inorder to enhance family bond and provision of additional care for the new born.
This appeal was made on Thursday during the plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abiodun Fadeyi.
In a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Oyo East and West State Constituency, Hon. Olorunpoto Rahman, explained that a new born child relies heavily on a strong bond with caregivers, typically parents who influence their emotion, social and cognitive growth.
He explained further that the introduction of Paternity leave will enable fathers to support their partners during the recovery period after childbirth, thereby promoting gender equality and shared responsibility in parenting.
Hon. Olorunpoto maintained that many countries and States have adopted the policy inorder to improve productivity in their Societies.
“Many countries and states have adopted Paternity leave policy , and it has helped in boosting the morale and improved productivity at the same time fostering family cohesion and stability. He revealed further that the leave is being operated at the Federal civil service as well as Lagos and Enugu States.”
The Lawmaker emphasized that the absence of Paternity leave for fathers in Oyo State may hinder their ability to provide necessary emotional and practical support to their families during the postnatal period.
The House however recommended that the Paternity leave duration should be a minimum of 10 working days, and will be entitled to only three times throughout the service year of all beneficiaries, while adding that such leave should be taken within the first month of childbirth or adoption inorder to ensure fathers’ adequate time bond with newborns and support for the families.
