Alive and Thrive Project
A 1-day high level Private Se with decision-making power and influence within their organizations. Participants include- Mrs. Funmilayo Arowoogun: President, NNEW; Dr. (Mrs.) Ajoristsedere Awosika, Chairman, Access Bank PLC. Mrs. Adenike Adebayo Ajala: Director, Social and Labour Affairs, NECA representing the Director General; Ms. Olawumi Ajayi: FHI360/Alive & Thrive; Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director General MAN; Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabanwo,
Advocacy Visits to Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD) and Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria (MAN)
As part of efforts to advance maternity protection and lactational support for women in workplaces, the NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) conducted series of high-level advocacy visits to engage management of organizations during this contract period. Outstanding among these advocacy visits were the visits to the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD) and Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria (MAN) in September 2023. The Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD Nigeria) is a Professional Institute that promotes directors, develops corporate governance, represents its members to government and enhances the economy for business development. Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria (MAN) promotes the interest of manufacturers by deepening its advocacy and partnership with national and international economic actors in Government, organized private sector, host communities and other stakeholders to foster its proactive role in policy formulation and implementation. Engaging with both organizations is beneficial in creating an enabling environment within member organizations thereby promoting breastfeeding and ensuring that women can contribute to workplace productivity while still breastfeeding.
Project Director, Alive & Thrive (Dr. Victor Ogbodo) welcoming attendees with a goodwill message.
Both visits were conducted by high-level delegates from NNEW comprising of the executive members from the National and Lagos State Chapters, led by the President, Mrs. Funmilayo Arowoogun, along with the Executive Secretary, Mr. Adeniyi Adeyanju. During the visits to both organizations, the President of NNEW (Mrs. Arowoogun) introduced NNEW to the organizations and apprised them of the Alive and Thrive project in Nigeria. She mentioned that the intervention is funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and it is a global nutrition initiative to save lives, prevent illness, and improve the health and wellbeing of mothers, children, and adolescents by using evidence-based approaches in collaboration with governments and other partners at global, regional, national, and community levels. Part of this include advocating for enhanced maternity protection through the promotion of paid 6-month maternity leave policies and establishment of creches within workspaces. She added that the project aims to collaborate with both the public and private sectors to facilitate the implementation of these policies without jeopardizing job security or career prospects for mothers.
The Director General of IoD, Dr. Dele Alimi, commended NNEW for its efforts in addressing the challenges faced by women in the private sector by leading advocacies for on-site crèche facilities and other maternity policies to be implemented in the workplace. He recognized the significance of this project and acknowledged the hurdles that women encounter in balancing their work responsibilities with childbirth and infant care. Dr. Alimi expressed his unwavering support for NNEW’s on Maternity Protection policies implementation and assured NNEW of IoD’s support.
Dr. Segun Ajayi-Quadri, the Director General of MAN, commended NNEW for the notable work being done around Maternal and Child Health Care which has helped to enhance women’s productivity within the workspace. He acknowledged the project’s praiseworthy nature and shed light on the formidable challenges that women encounter in the workplace, notably the delicate balance they must strike between childbirth and the responsibilities of caring for their infants.
Achievement(s)
- Commitment by theDirector General, Dr. Dele Alimi to invite NNEW to address a larger audience of member organizations during their meetings. This would include NNEW delivering a speech at the Annual Conference of the Institute of Director (IoD) in Abuja and addressing the members of the IoD during their induction ceremony. Also, IoD will organize a webinar for NNEW to address the member of IoD.
- The Director General (MAN), Dr. Segun Ajayi-Quadri committed to establishing a crèche within its premises.
Other advocacy visits done during this period include that to TVC, Cadbury Nigeria and Unilever PLC.
Setting up and commissioning NAWOJ Creche
NECA Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) with funding from Alive & Thrive provided technical support in uplifting the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Creche, Lagos. This was done following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by NNEW & NAWOJ. After an initial visit to the creche facility, the need for a renovation and training of staff was identified and there after initiated to promote breastfeeding, enhance the safety, aesthetic appeal, and sustainability of the creche facilities for the benefit of the children and nursing mothers.
The renovations done at the creche include-
- Mounting of bathtub
- Mounting of wash hand basin and a tap
- Fixing of wall tiles
- Covering of the ceramic floor tiles with a durable rubber carpet
- Installation of digital television,
- Split unit air-conditioner
- Double door water dispenser.
- Fully kitted First aid box.
- A brand-new fire extinguisher was also placed strategically within the crèche.
The Creche Renovation Project has helped to revitalize the creche’s facilities, making it a safer and more welcoming environment for children. This renovation has strengthened the creche can continue to provide high-quality childcare services for years to come.
Participants having an interactive session during the training
As part of the engagement with NAWOJ, a two-day training was also organized for the caregivers and the crèche management. During the training, participants were introduced to the International Code for Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS). Participants were intimated on the importance of the BMS code, which is designed to protect and promote breastfeeding as the best source of nutrition for infants and young children. They were also informed that A&T was Pro-BMS Code and by extension expects that the code is promoted within the creche as well. Posters on the BMS code were presented to the creche management and NAWOJ.
Before and After Pictures following the facelift of the NAWOJ Creche
