Tallen calls for daycare centres in workplaces

The Minister of Women Affairs , Mrs. Pauline Tallen, has called for establishment of daycare centres in workplaces to boost the productivity of the mothers.

The minister made the call on Thursday in Uyo at the opening session of the 21st Regular National Council Meeting on Women Affairs.

She said the practice would benefit the economy by ensuring that women would be more productive at their work places without distractions.

She said that by investing in such structures, women would be able to contribute maximally to growing the economy.

The News Agency of Nigeria said that she called on organizations, both public and private at all levels to key into the initiative of setting up support facilities for working class mothers.

She said that the ministry will continue to prioritize girl child education to address the challenges of the society and to also step up more advocacy at both chambers of the National Assembly and at the state level.

According to her, the 2006 national Gender Policy is currently undergoing review to align it with the current realities, and will be formally presented to the Federal executive Council for further approval.

She said, the strategies for achieving the gender policy goals and objectives were premised on the dual agenda equity and equality is beneficial.

She explained that the ministry has made a lot of progress in the area of domestication laws, child-related issues, girl-child intervention, gender policy formulations.

Others are, addressing gender-based violence, women political participation, campaign on issues-related to women and children, women empowerment as well as campaign for peace.

Tallen said the ministry was currently pushing for the passage of Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill (GEOB). a bill being sponsored by a Senator in Ekiti State, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi.