National Assembly speaker, Jacob Mudenda, says parliament will provide facilities for breastfeeding lawmakers to care for their babes during parliamentary sessions.
Mudenda made the remarks after lawmaker, Priscilla Misihairamwbi Mushonga, of the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Professor Welshman Ncube brought a baby in the chamber to complain that parliament is not women-friendly.
She said parliament’s standing rules and orders have no provision allowing lawmakers time out to breastfeed.
Misihairambwi Mushonga said even the constitution accords equal opportunities to men and women to participate in political activities yet parliamentary rules did not provide the same opportunities.
Mudenda said lawmaker Misihairambwi Mushonga’s observation was correct and parliament would provide facilities for nursing legislators to bring babies so that they can participate in debates and go back to breastfeed on parliament premises.
Misiharambwi left the house with the baby after the Speaker’s ruling as babies are not allowed in the house.
Harare worker, Loice Mukombe, applauded the decision taken parliament.
Zimbabwe’s labor laws grant workers three months maternity leave and one for nursing during working hours after the three months but some friendly companies and organizations provide extra hours for breastfeeding mothers.