KEWOTA LAUNCHES BREASTFEEDING CENTERS FOR WOMEN TEACHERS

Supporting Working Mothers: KEWOTA Unveils Breastfeeding Centers in Public Schools

The Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA) launched two breastfeeding and nursing centers for women teachers. This remarkable and triumphant event took place in Kirinyaga. Poetically, the event took place during Valentine’s Day, a conscious symbol by KEWOTA – a display of love for the welfare of women teachers.

KEWOTA’s chairperson Modesta Akaki remarked that women teachers with infants lose productivity and get frustrated by balancing work and nursing struggles. With the launch of these state-of-the-art and highly equipped breastfeeding rooms by KEWOTA, this will not be the case anymore.

KEWOTA launched breastfeeding and nursing rooms in two public schools, marking the project’s first phase.

Kewota’s push for nursing rooms in schools:

Since its founding, KEWOTA has been vocal about the need to have breastfeeding and nursing rooms for women teachers in Kenyan schools. Back in 2020, and later in 2022, the KEWOTA CEO Benter Opande made a statement pushing for the matter to be an enactment of law, to compel all learning institutions to provide nursing and breastfeeding rooms for women teachers.

KEWOTA argued that such a policy would be beneficial to the education sector since it would lead to increased productivity for women teachers, leading to improved gross outputs.

The matter has been a major talking point for stakeholders, and many organizations have been trying to push for it but the Kenya Women Teachers Association has been more vocal and active about the matter.

Under the Health Act (2017), and the breastfeeding mothers bill, (2019), Kenyan employers must provide lactation stations within their premises. The bill also requires employers to provide additional facilities for infants. Clause 3 of the bill requires employers to provide a physical environment that is safe for babies and meets the requirements under the law, as well as programs that develop babies’ cognitive, emotional, social, and language abilities. The bill also provides that breastfeeding mothers are entitled to take breaks to breastfeed for up to 1 hour, spread out across every 8 hours worked.

Many organizations face compliance challenges, mainly due to stagnancy with implementation and execution. Come’s in the Kenya Women Teachers Association, a proven driving force when it comes to the implementation and execution of projects aimed at uplifting the welfare of women teachers in Kenya.

KEWOTA’s breastfeeding and nursing rooms

The nursing and breastfeeding rooms done by KEWOTA are modern, and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. The breastfeeding rooms also fully comply with all sanitary, health, and safety standards set for breastfeeding rooms.

KEWOTA’s breastfeeding rooms for female teachers provide a safe and comfortable environment for the teachers to breastfeed, change diapers, and attend to their babies. The rooms also have enough baby cribs for nap time. The interior design provides safety, playfulness, and a good learning environment for the infants.

Collective responsibility

To make this happen, the schools were graceful in setting aside rooms for the establishment of the breastfeeding centers, and KEWOTA took up the task of furnishing and facilitating the rooms.

As KEWOTA launched the breastfeeding and nursing rooms, KEWOTA national treasurer Madam Jacinta Ndegwa called upon like-minded partners to work with KEWOTA to ensure the rest of the country follows suit.

The Kenya Women Teachers Association has once again proven that it is doable. KEWOTA has done it and executed it with high finesse. Like-minded partners, schools, and institutions can partner with KEWOTA to implement this overdue policy. KEWOTA has well-structured, vision-led and grassroots-focused leadership and a network of empowered coordinators all over the country.

KEWOTA’S Impact

The Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA) is a welfare organization that enhances the living standards of women in the teaching profession by providing avenues for professional, economic, and personal development. To achieve great initiatives such as this one, KEWOTA welcomes partnership proposals through info@kewota.co.ke.

KEWOTA understands the unique challenges and aspirations that women teachers face. Led by passionate women, KEWOTA is dedicated to supporting women teachers in achieving success in their careers and improving their quality of life.

KEWOTA’s members get access to valuable resources and support networks, providing a sense of security and belonging. To become a member and be part of the drive, teachers can register through this link: https://www.kewota.co.ke/join-kewota/